SUNDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2022

CBN: Naira Redesign in Overall Interest of Nigerians, Economy Insists due approval sought, obtained from Buhari Moghalu backs apex bank, says policy will address insecurity James Emejo, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday urged Nigerians to support the currency redesign

project which is in their overall interest and that of the economy at large.

The central bank further insisted that it followed the law and due process to carry out the redesigning exercise, which is 12 years due.

This is coming as a former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Prof.

Kingsley Moghalu has commended the apex bank on the proposed redesigning of the naira, saying the measure will address insecurity in the country.

The apex bank’s clarification came against the backdrop of claims by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, that her ministry was not carried along in the proposed redesigning of the Naira.

CBN Director in charge of Corporate Communication, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, had in a statement, expressed surprise at the minister’s claim, stressing that the CBN remains a “very thorough institution that follows due process

in its policy actions”.

He said the CBN management, in line with provisions of section 2(b), section 18(a), and section 19(a) (b) of the CBN Act 2007, had duly Continued on page 5

FG Plans to Auction Seven Deep Offshore Oil Blocks in November… Page 10 Sunday 30 October, 2022 Vol 27. No 10064

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N400

N

2023: PDP, LP Knock Fitch’s Projection, Say Report Unrealistic Obi flags off campaign, promises to tackle unemployment, insecurity Chuks Okocha, Emameh Gabriel in Abuja and Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation of the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), yesterday dismissed the Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research report released on Thursday, which predicted victory for the presidential

candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 presidential election, describing the report as unrealistic.

The report also projected that

Tinubu’s victory would lead to protests and social instability in the country because of the MuslimMuslim ticket and the expectations of the followers of the Labour Party’s candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, that would

be dashed.

But in their separate reactions, the LP argued that Fitch derived its results from outdated research methods, while the Atiku-Okowa Campaign Organisation said the

report was speculative.

This is as Obi yesterday flagged off his presidential campaign at the Government Science School, Lafia, Continued on page 5

Terror Alerts: Police Move to Douse Tension, Say No Bombs Planted in Abuja Army sets up emergency call centre BA cancels London-Abuja flight, reschedules others till November 7 Julius Berger warns staff to avoid public places in FCT Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Chinedu Eze in Lagos In a move to douse tension generated by the reports on social media that bombs were planted in many parts of Abuja, the Nigeria Police yesterday reassured the residents of the capital city that there was no truth in such claims.

The United States, United Kingdom and other foreign missions had last week released security alert, warning their citizens to steer clear of Abuja because of planned terrorist attack.

But in furtherance of proactive security measures put in place to address the tension, the Nigerian Army has set up an emergency call centre and appealed to the citizenry to utilise the numbers in case of any eventuality.

However, despite the security measures being put in place by the army and the police, British Airways (BA) yesterday cancelled Continued on page 5

2023 ELECTIONS IN FOCUS… L-R: Former Governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Assistant Secretary,US Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs, Molly Phee; and Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, in Washington DC…Friday

Ayu Breaks Silence, Says He Can Stop Ortom, Others from Contesting 2023 Elections… Page 8

2

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

3

4

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

5

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE FIVE TERROR ALERTS: POLICE MOVE TO DOUSE TENSION, SAY NO BOMBS PLANTED IN ABUJA its London-Abuja flight and rescheduled other London-Abuja and Abuja-London flights from October 30 to November 7, 2022.

Construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, also yesterday issued a security advisory, warning staff to avoid public places and events within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and other areas where many may meet.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Nigeria Police said there were no such threats and affirmed that the nation's capital remained safe.

The statement issued by the Force Headquarters said there was no imminent threat to the FCT, and neither was any bomb planted in any part of the territory.

"It is surprising and disheartening to read in the news and on social media that bombs are being planted in every area of the Federal Capital Territory, even from some individuals, who are presumed to be peace ambassadors and patriotic agents of national unity in Nigeria.

"I don’t think it will do our country any good to continually spread such fearful rumours to further create more panic to citizens and residents of the FCT and Nigeria at large," the statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said.

The statement added that the purported claim that bombs were

planted in many locations was unfounded.

"We still reiterate that the Federal Capital Territory is safe and there is no imminent threat, neither is the FCT being saturated with bombs as speculated in the news.

"We, therefore, urge residents of the FCT and Nigerians at large to disregard this fake news which was purportedly sponsored to create fear in our people and heat the polity.

"We will continue to adopt all effective operational strategies to decimate the activities of non-state actors and other criminal elements in the country," the statement explained.

Also speaking in Ibusa, Delta State, yesterday, the Inspector General of Police (IG, Mr. Alkali Baba Usman, described the alarm raised by the US and other countries over the terror alert in Abuja as unnecessary security alert that does not have meaning.

Usman who was in the town for the inauguration of an anti-bomb modern police station and barracks for officers and men, said it was only proper if there was security threats, for the diplomats to inform the authorities rather than calling on their citizens to flee.

Saying security agencies were however not taking the message lightly as investigation had commenced to nip any security threat in the bud, the IG assured residents of Abuja of their safety.

He told the media to avoid being

used as agents to spread fake news.

Usman said the force was making adequate preparation to ensure that the 2023 general elections would be successful.

He said; “our election will be credible, free and fair by the grace of God. Our votes will count, and those we want as our leaders will be our leaders.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has set up an emergency call centre and rolled out phone lines for the citizenry in case of any suspicious movement.

The army announced on its Twitter handle.

"Kindly report any information that would aid the Nigerian Army in combating insecurity through a phone call, SMS through short code 193 or Whatsapp to the following numbers: 07017222225 09060005290, 09809990013, 08077444303 or report on the army website, army.mil.ng or na.calicentre@army.mil.ng,” the army explained.

It said messages should contain the exact location, date and time of the incident.

Abuja flight and rescheduled other London-Abuja and Abuja-London flights from October 30 to November 7, 2022.

The airline stated that the reason for the change was a result of operational constraints but informed sources close to the airline said the development was in response to the ongoing security concerns in Abuja.

The airline had earlier stated that it was working closely with government authorities following the Foreign Commonwealth Office's advice against all but essential travel to Abuja.

“We are working closely with government authorities following the Foreign Commonwealth Office advice against all but essential travel to Abuja. Safety is at the heart of everything we do and we will continue to monitor the situation closely,” said the Regional Commercial Manager, of West Africa, Adetutu Otuyalo.

In a circular issued yesterday by the airline, it announced what

British Airways Cancels London-Abuja Flight, Schedules Others Till November 7

the capital city of Nasarawa State, promising that he would not give excuses for non-performance if elected president in 2023.

National Publicity of the LP, Arabambi Abayomi told THISDAY that the Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research failed to carry out thorough research on the true opinions of Nigerians to understand their feelings and frustrations this time around.

Arabambi said the research was carried out without an in-depth understanding of the true feelings of Nigerians, who he said no longer trust the ruling APC that has placed the country's economy on autopilot.

"Like football, permutations no longer win the game and it is not over until it is over. Without going into details of the research which gave victory to the candidate of the APC, I will like to add that the world has moved beyond bookmakers for electoral victory.

"A case in point is how the APC fell in Edo and Osun states, despite their rigging machines that have been successful in the past,” he explained.

He commended INEC and the National Assembly for the passage of the amended electoral laws, which he described as a game changer.

He said, "with these provisions and increased political awareness among Nigerians, the APC should begin to write its handover notes to Mr. Obi.” Reacting to the claim by Fitch’s report that Obi has no structure, Arabambi cited “the recent election in Kenya, where Raila Odinga fell flat at the poll despite the support from the incumbent, Mr. Kenyatta, who abandoned his vice, Williams Ruto.

He said: "The just concluded Kenya elections, women got elected into the parliament and won governorship seats as against the tradition.

"A big shocker awaits the bookmakers as Peter Obi is ready to prove them wrong,” he added.

Responding to the claim that Obi has only urban followership, Arambambi cited the acceptance of digital banking by Nigerians across the geopolitical locations and social strata, stressing that "unlike, the followership of the other political parties that are based on financial inducement, those who following the LP is doing it out of conviction and are ready to put their all to see the emergence of Obi as the next President of Nigeria.

In his reaction, the spokesman of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said the Fitch’s report was “merely contrived, imaginary and completely illusory; “It is a trivial opinion of ignorant interlopers which does not conform with any empirical or substantiated indicators regarding the direction of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria "While we do not want to conclude on the opinion already widely held in the public space that the report was procured or

However, despite the security measures being put in place by the army and the police, the BA yesterday cancelled its London-

CBN: NAIRA REDESIGN IN OVERALL INTEREST OF NIGERIANS, ECONOMY sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari in writing to redesign, produce, release and circulate new series of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes.

Nwanisobi urged Nigerians to support the currency redesign project, stressing that some persons were hoarding significant sums of banknotes outside the vaults of commercial banks.

He argued that such a trend should not be encouraged by anyone who means well for the country.

He pointed out that currency management in the country had faced several escalating challenges which threatened the integrity of the Naira, the CBN, and the country in general, adding that every top-rate central bank was committed to safeguarding the integrity of the local legal tender, the efficiency of its supply, as well as its efficacy in the conduct of monetary policy.

On the timing of the redesign project, Nwanisobi explained that the CBN had even tarried for too long considering that it had to wait 20 years to carry out a redesign, whereas the standard practice globally was for central banks to redesign, produce and circulate new local legal tender every five to eight years.

While assuring Nigerians that the currency redesign exercise was purely a central banking exercise and not targeted at any group, the CBN spokesman expressed optimism that the effort will, among other goals, deepen Nigeria’s push to entrench a cashless economy in the face of increased minting of the eNaira.

This, he said, is in addition to helping to curb the incidents of terrorism and kidnapping due to access of persons to the large volume of money outside the banking system used as a source of funds for ransom payments.

The CBN director urged Nigerians, irrespective of their status, to support the Naira redesign project as it is for the greater good of the economy.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had on Wednesday announced a proposed redesign of the currency in the variation of N200, N500 and N1,000.

Emefiele, who pointed out that the change was a sequel to the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, said circulation of the new banknotes would commence on December 15, 2022.

He said the development

was also aimed at checking the increasing ease and risk of currency counterfeiting evidenced by several security reports, and the increased risk to financial stability as well as the worsening shortage of clean and fit currency, with the attendant negative perception of the central bank.

Emefiele said there was significant hoarding of naira notes by members of the public, with statistics showing that over 80 per cent of the currency in circulation was outside the vaults of the commercial banks.

He said as of September 2022, a total of N3.2 trillion was in circulation, of which N2.73 trillion was outside the vaults of the banks, describing the development as unacceptable.

Emefiele explained that the new and existing notes would remain legal tender and circulate together until January 31, 2023, when the existing currencies shall seize to be legal tender.

As a result, he said all banks currently holding the existing denominations of the currency might begin returning the notes to the CBN immediately, adding that the newly designed currency would be released to the banks on a first come, first served basis.

Emefiele also urged bank customers to begin paying into their bank accounts the existing currency notes to enable them to withdraw the new banknotes once circulation begins in mid-December 2022.

Moghalu Backs Apex Bank, Says Policy Will Address Insecurity Meanwhile, a former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Prof.

Moghalu, has commended the apex bank on the proposed redesigning of the naira.

Moghalu, a political economist, who gave the commendation in a statement issued yesterday in Lagos, advocated a 90-day window for the implementation.

He said: “I fully support the Central Bank of Nigeria in redesigning the Naira. If 80 per cent of banknotes in circulation are outside the banks, that is troubling.

“The CBN obviously wants to force all those notes back into the banking system. Those with the notes must surrender them to get new ones or else it becomes illegal tender after January 31, 2023.

“This is also a way to withdraw currency from circulation, an unorthodox way of tightening the money supply since the country is battling high inflation.

“The flip side is that people who are holding huge amounts of cash outside the banking system for nefarious reasons will go to the parallel forex market to buy hard currency, putting further downward pressure on the value of the Naira as too much Naira will be chasing too few dollars.”

He, however, expressed doubt that the step would solve inflation, “because there also are other major reasons for inflation such as the forex crisis, which this new move can exacerbate, as well as the impact of the security crisis on food price inflation.”

According to him, the step, however, has become necessary for national security but the window for implementation is too short.

“This will put a lot of operational pressure on commercial banks and the financial system in general.

“A 90-day window will have been better, but one can understand the need to avoid interfering with the elections,” he added.

Youth Leaders Back CBN, Urge Emefiele to Ignore Finance Minister In a related development, a group, Ethnic Youth Leaders, has also called on Emefiele, to ignore the Minister of Finance, Ahmed, over her attack on the naira redesigning proposal and go ahead with its decision to launch the new notes in December.

The group who made the call in a statement by its convener, Godwin Meliga, in Abuja yesterday, described the minister's statement as reckless and a plot to undermine President Buhari.

The group insisted that the decision to redesign naira is a welcomed development as it was a way of tightening the money supply in the face of rising inflation.

It therefore urged the finance minister to apologise to Buhari, and the CBN over her reckless attack.

"We are of the view that CBN doesn't need to notify her ministry, in line with the law. The decision to replace some naira denominations with new ones would be positive for the economy in the medium to long-term,” the group explained.

it described as temporary flight schedule changes in London-Abuja flights and Abuja-London flights from October 30 to November 7 due to operational constraints.

Under the new flight schedules, LHR-ABV (London to Abuja) flight departs at 0800hrs and arrives at 1415hrs, while ABV - LHR (Abuja – London) flight departs at 1600hrs and arrives at 2230hrs."

"For cancelled flights BA83/28 Oct and BA82/29 Oct, please follow the BA standard cancellation guidelines for rebooking customers. Please contact your BA Account Manager if you need further clarification," the airline added.

The UK government had earlier advised its nationals to stay clear of Abuja due to potential terrorist attacks.

Julius Berger Warns Staff to Avoid Public Places in FCT

In a related development, the construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has issued a security advisory, warning its member of staff to avoid public places and events within the FCT, including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and other areas where many may meet The advisory released by the company said it was "in response to ongoing security concerns within the FCT and central Abuja.

"It is advised to avoid all public events within the FCT environment: including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and other areas where many may meet.”

According to the advisory, this advice applies from the evening of Friday, October 28 to the morning of Monday, October 31.

"It remains possible to move to other JBN work or residential locations throughout the weekend.

Your safety is our primary concern," the advisory added.

2023: PDP, LP KNOCK FITCH’S PROJECTION, SAY REPORT UNREALISTIC not emanating officially from Fitch, especially, given the desperation and devious antecedents of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation and the All Progressives Congress (APC), it is, however, important to state that these conjectures are the direct opposite of the reality on the ground," he explained.

He argued that Tinubu cannot face the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

He said: "Contrary to the report being peddled by the APC, Asiwaju Tinubu is battling with trust issues, stamina concerns, massive open rejection by the majority of voters across the country, a mass exodus from his APC into PDP due to the abysmal failures of his party in addition to his (Tinubu’s) confessed selfish motives for being in the presidential race.

"In reality, unlike Atiku Abubakar, Tinubu has no strong, organic and reliable political base anywhere in the country and cannot get the required 25 per cent in the majority of the states of the federation.

"Across the north, the APC presidential candidate does not have a stable political structure with the daily decamping of hordes of Nigerians in the region who voted for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019 now crossing over to the PDP to support Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 elections.

"In the south, Asiwaju Tinubu has no solid base in the South-South and South East where he has been roundly rejected. Even in the Southwest, the former Lagos State governor has been demystified as evidenced in his party's devastating loss in the last Governorship election in Osun State; a state considered to be his ancestry home, to the PDP,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the LP, Obi has flagged off his campaign and promised that his administration would deliver Nigeria from the deceit and failure of the ruling APC and the PDP when he emerged president in 2023.

Obi said he would tackle unemployment and insecurity to pave the way for economic growth and development if voted into power.

The presidential candidate also pledged to create jobs for youths to lift them off poverty and deprivation.

He also promised to support agriculture in Nasarawa State to ensure food sufficiency and food security.

Obi argued that "it will be disastrous to vote either APC or PDP given the untold suffering the two bad governments of corruption have put Nigerians into.

He promised the people of Nasarawa State and Nigerians that the government of the Labour Party will return farmers to their farms without fear of being killed or their farms destroyed.

He, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to reject money-sharing candidates who come to seek their

votes in 2023.

"I and Ahmed Datti will not steal your money. We will not disappoint you; vote for us," Obi added.

He lamented that Nigerians were suffering because of the kind of leaders occupying government offices, adding that the prices of foodstuffs and other goods in the markets will drop if he wins the presidential election in 2023.

He said: "If you vote for the Labour party in 2023, we will address the persistent farmers/herders clashes in Nasarawa State and the farmers will go back to their farms. We will tackle the state of insecurity bedevilling the entire nation.

"We will lift the youths out of poverty. We will reduce criminality.

We will solve the flood problem ravaging the country. The prices of goods will come down and there will be no challenges to food in the country."

"When the LP wins, there will be no more strikes in the Nigerian universities. The government will comprise youths and women. We will provide fertilizers to farmers across the nation," he explained.

He said if elected in 2023, his government would move Nigeria from consumption to production and job creation.

Nigeria Can’t Be Handed over to Sick Leaders in 2023, Says LP Chairman Also speaking during the campaign, the National Chairman of the LP, Mr. Julius Abure, stated that Nigeria cannot be handed over to “sick leaders” in 2023.

The LP chairman said the challenges faced by the country is as a result of poor leadership.

“All the challenges we have been having in the country are zeroed down to leadership problems,” he said.

“Today, the country is sick. It is sick from insecurity; it is sick from unemployment; the economy is not working.

“If you put everything together, the country is sick and we cannot hand it over to sick people.

“We need vibrant, young, energetic people who can be awake day and night to solve the problems of the country and we have that person.

“We also need somebody who has character, integrity -somebody that will not take our money abroad.”

"Our presidential candidate is strong. We need an energetic and vibrant person because the nation has been suffering from economic hardship due to the wrong choice of candidate," he added.

In a welcome address, the Nasarawa State chairman of the LP, Alexander Emmanuel, thanked the leadership of the party for choosing the state as the venue for the presidential campaign flag-off.

He promised to canvass more support for Obi across the 13 LGAs in the state.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 30, 2022

6

NEWS

MAY YOUR REIGN BE LONG… L-R: Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Alake of Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; and Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase III, at the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the Olowu in Abeokuta…yesterday

Atiku’s Camp Secures US Govt’s Commitment to Support Credible Elections in 2023 We’re under pressure to conduct free, fair polls, says INEC Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is under pressure to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, stated this during an interview on a live television programme.

Also, a delegation led by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar held a crucial meeting with officials of the US States Department in Washington DC where they secured the US Government’s commitment to support free and fair 2023 general election According to Okoye, there is pressure on the commission to conduct a free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections.

He said, “Yes, we are under pressure from the Nigerian people to deliver a credible, fair and transparent election in 2023, and that’s the only pressure I know about.”

Okoye, has, however, promised Nigerians that the commission will deliver a credible 2023 general election that will meet all internationallyacclaimed standards Meanwhile, the INEC National Commissioner dismissed recent call for the sacking of the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, adding that the process for the removal of INEC chairman is also rigorous.

He said; “Let me make this point. The position of the INEC chairman is a very serious position and it is a constitutionally protected position. The process for the appointment of INEC chairman is a very rigorous process. The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes nomination, then goes to the council of state.

“Thereafter he goes to the National Assembly for possible confirmation. Now the process and the procedure, the mechanism for the removal of

INEC chairman is also a very rigorous process. First, there must be an allegation and that allegation must conform to the provision of constitution.

“Thereafter the allegation must be taken to the president and the president now approaches the National Assembly asking the Senate in this instance to remove the electoral management body,” he said.

Meanwhile, a delegation led

by Atiku held a crucial meeting with officials of the US States Department in Washington DC where they secured the US Government’s commitment to support free and fair 2023 general election.

The meeting held on Friday, and which focused primarily on enhancing cooperation with the United States’ authorities on Nigeria’s security challenges, elections and democracy was led

by Atiku and Assistant Secretary, States Department, Bureau of African Affairs, Molly Phee.

A source who was on the PDP presidential candidate's camp told THISDAY yesterday that, “the meeting last night with officials of the States Department could not have come at a better time with the terrorist threat alerts by the US, UK and Canada and the withdrawal of its non-essential staff by the US Embassy in Nigeria.”

The Media Adviser to the PDP presidential candidate, Mr. Paul Ibe, in a statement issued yesterday, confirmed the meeting.

“The focus of discussions was on the critical need to seek collaborative solutions to our local issues on democracy and governance, our deteriorating security and the economy.

“Most importantly, the meeting secured commitments to support free and fair elections in Nigeria, an announcement of a sanction policy before the elections to deter anti-democratic forces, and commitments for continued partnership with Nigeria in areas of security and development,” the statement explained.

Other officials of the States

Department at the meeting included Karl Fickenscher, Acting Assistant Administrator, USAID; Scott Busby, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary , Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour; Michael Heath, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs; Brian Neubert; Director Office of West African Affairs; Skye

Justice, Deputy Director, Office of West African Affairs; and Toby Bradley, Deputy Assistant Secretary.

Others are: Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; Christopher Landberg, Principal Deputy Coordinator, Bureau of Counterterrorism and Stanley Brown, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of

Police-Military Affairs.

Those on the official delegation of the PDP presidential candidate include former Senate President and Special Envoy to the presidential candidate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State governor and Director-General of the PDP presidential campaign council, Aminu Tambuwal; former governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.

President Joe Biden’s administration has not hidden its determination to watch the Nigerian government push through a transition that resonates with international best practices and that message, it was gathered, was passed through at the meeting.

CSOs: US, UK Security Terror Alerts Calculated to Destabilise Nigeria Igbo group urges FG to ensure security ahead of 2023 polls Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday alleged that the recent security alerts issued by the foreign missions in Abuja were a calculated move to destabilise the country.

Their position came as the Pan-Igbo group, Igbo bu Igbo, expressed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the country and the Southeast.

It called on the federal government to ensure peace in all parts of the country as the nation prepares for the 2023 general election.

It also called on the federal government to release detained leader of the Indeginous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

While warning the US against attempts to bully or stampede the Nigerian State into doing its bidding, the NGOs insisted that security agencies, especially the military, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police have continued to strengthen their intelligencedriven operations.

The coalition argued that against ongoing efforts to contain criminal elements and their activities, such a security

advisory was unnecessary.

The groups include Coalition for Peace In Nigeria (COPIN), Coalition of Nigerians for National Sovereignty and Unity (CONNSU), Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), Celebrities United for Peace (CUP), and Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI).

Addressing journalists yesterday on the implication of the threat alert, the Coordinator of COPIN, Mr. Emeka Akwuobi, called on the citizens to rise above fear and anxiety, and continue to support security agencies.

The coalition queried the motive behind the threat alert, considering the fact that the DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had issued security advisories of plans by terrorists to target soft spots in parts of the country "For the avoidance of doubt, the US is preparing for elections, and is customary with the socalled 'world police', nations considered not in tune with her aggressive disposition, are often whipped into line.

"Having regard to our patriotic role as contemporary 'watchdogs', we wish to inform the public that, as always,

the Democratic Party wants to continue in the usual opportunistic pastime of using the tool of destabilisation, to gain, or retain power, in the case of the subsisting government.

"With your kind permission, gentlemen of the press, we wish to raise the following posers: "Why is this misguided, misdirected security advisory coming few months before elections in most parts of the country?

"Is it a coincidence that few days after the suspicious alert, a similar cul-de-sac - literally speaking - was visited on South Africa?

"Whereas Nigeria leads the way in the West African sub-region, South Africa is, unarguably, the biggest player in the Southern African geographical construct.

"It is pertinent to note that the said alarm underpins international politics: psychological warfare; scorched earth policy; or gunboat diplomacy", Akwuobi said.

Meanwhile, a Pan Igbo group, Igbo Bu Igbo (IBI), expressed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the country and the South-east.

It called on the federal government to ensure peace in all parts of the country as

the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections.

It also called on the federal government to release detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

"Igbo Bu Igbo is deeply worried by this growing insecurity. Granted that no state is spared in the South-east, it is noteworthy that the incidence is worse in Ebonyi and Imo states. Beyond the gravity of the insecurity incidence, the two state governments have also been accused by some of their own people of being responsible for perpetrating much of the insecurity through the reckless deployment of the Ebube Agu security outfits for politics and other acts of complicity or complacency.

"Coincidentally too, Ebonyi and Imo are the only two states in the South-east where the proposed regional outfit, Ebube Agu, is said to have taken off.

Please, note that Igbo Bu Igbo is not affiliated with any political party or tendency. All that IBI desires is not to excoriate any individual, group, or public official. Its sole interest and intention is to canvass for the restoration of peace, security, and stability of the South-East zone", it said.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

7

8

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 30, 2022

NEWS

WITH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS… L-R: Lead Social Protection Specialist, World Bank, Nigeria, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa; Lead Country Economist, Bertine Kamphuis; World Bank Country Director, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri; Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Lead Procurement Specialist, Chief Bayo Awosemusi; and former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Akin Oyebode; during the governor’s working visit to World Bank office in Abuja… recently

Ayu Breaks Silence, Says He Can Stop Ortom, Others from Contesting 2023 Elections Insists nobody can sack him

George Okoh in Makurdi The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu at the weekend broke his silence over the attacks on him by the Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, threatening that he has the power to stop Ortom from realising his senatorial ambition on the platform of the party.

But Ayu said as a father of all, he has decided to remain silent to avoid a crack in the party.

The relationship between Ortom and Ayu whom both hail from Benue North West senatorial

district went sour after the party’s presidential primary that produced Abubakar Atiku as the party’s standard bearer.

Atiku defeated Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who was the choice of some governors, including Ortom.

The Benue State governor and his counterparts in Oyo (Seyi Makinde), Abia (Okezie Ikpeazu) and Enugu (Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi), who are all in Wike’s camp have been calling for the resignation of Ayu as the party’s chairman.

In Benue State, the crisis has been threatening the senatorial ambition of the governor as

Lottery Commission Exempts Licensed Online Gaming Operators from FIRS Direct Tax Collection Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has said that Online Gaming Operators in Nigeria, who are duly licensed are not affected by the new tax regime proposed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

In a recent statement, the FIRS ordered all operators offering online gaming services in Nigeria to connect to the Sentinal system no later than December 31, 2022.

The tax agency was planning to generate tax from online gaming transactions using a platform run by a UK-based financial technology company.

But the Director General of the NLRC, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, in a statement in Abuja, said that the proposed tax applied to remote gaming operators operating strictly outside the jurisdiction of the country.

Gbajabiamila said the clarification became necessary to douse the panic and confusion already created in the gaming industry in the country regarding the propriety and justification of the new tax regime.

He said the NLRC, as the agency created by law to regulate lottery/ gaming in the country, needed to make the necessary clarifications and would not renege in carrying out its statutory assignment.

He said: "The NLRC deeply regrets any misconceptions these publications have caused to our

esteemed gaming operators and other stakeholders in the industry in Nigeria."

FIRS had on Wednesday said it was automating the administration of tax on online gaming, using Sentinal National Payment Gateway and Electronic Solution.

The Sentinal National Payment Gateway is a transaction processing system that enables integrated payment services providers to deduct taxes at the point of transaction and immediately remit them to the government’s treasury.

The FIRS notice stated that it was not mandatory for online gaming operators offering online gaming services from outside Nigeria to be incorporated in Nigeria.

They must connect to the platform to deduct tax from gaming transactions of players in Nigeria, and remit directly to the government.

Part of the FIRS statement read, "Every operator offering online gaming services in Nigeria is required no later than Dec. 31, to connect to the Sentinal National Payment Gateway, where taxes will be deducted from the online gaming transactions and remitted directly to the relevant government treasury.

“All companies engaged in online gaming activities are to take note of this notice for compliance.

“The FIRS expects full compliance, as non-compliant operators shall be visited with sanctions by extant laws.”

Ayu’s kinsmen in the Jemgbah axis accused the governor of teaming up with others to pull down their son from his exalted office.

Addressing PDP supporters that welcomed him home in Gboko at the weekend, Ayu who spoke in his native Tiv dialect told his people that he had the power to stop any candidate under the party, particularly in the state to avenge all the attacks on him.

He, however, added that as a father of all, he has decided to remain silent to avoid any further crack in the party.

“I have been silent over all the things you are hearing against me because I don’t want any crack in the party I belong in my state, I have the powers to say you and you will not go anywhere because I will insist that I must sign before you go anywhere.

“But I have signed for all candidates produced by the PDP to

go ahead in their dreams, whether I like it or not I signed.

“So I was doing that believing that I cannot shoot myself in the leg. I want Benue to come first by winning all elections so that Nigerians will say that the national chairman has delivered his state to PDP with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar winning 90 per cent of the votes and Titus Uba as governor in 2023.

He urged his people not to be afraid of what some politicians were saying.

“Nothing should worry you, my people. Since I started politics more than 30 years ago, you have never rejected me; you are always supporting me. They say a prophet has no respect in his home, but my case is different; I am overwhelmed by this great show of love.

“The PDP is one and not divided. I am trying my best not to disappoint the Benue people and Nigerians in general; so, if you

hear that they want to chase Ayu out as national chairman, don’t be worried; nobody is going to sack me as national chairman of our party. I will leave the seat on a day that God permits.

“It is God that enthrones leadership; He uses people to enthrone a person over others and protects that person. I want to assure you that all these days, God has been protecting me even when I went on sick leave abroad, God is still protecting me.

“The Tiv people have suffered so much in this country. We are yet to get our share of the national cake, so my charge to you is not to relent in prayers so that this time around come 2023, God will give us a president who will work closely with the Governor of our state to wipe out our tears.

“During senator J S Tarka’s era, God gave us a Fulani man, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, did he fight the Tiv nation? Did he kill our people?

He appointed five ministers from Benue State and speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Chaha, Paul Unongo (Minister of steel), Isaac Shaahu (Minister of Communications), Mrs Elizabeth Ivase (Education Minister) and Audu Ogbeh etc.

“Another Fulani man, Yar'Adua appointed a Tiv man, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, his Minister of Justice.

“Today, the standard bearer of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, who is not only a chieftaincy title holder of the Tiv people as the Zege Mule U Tiv, he is my friend, he told me his plans for the Tiv nation.

That he will wipe away the tears of our people.

“So, nobody should try to bring any troubles to you. I am telling you today, PDP is one party, a party that has divisions and does not win elections. No matter the strength of any party, if it does not have unity, it will lose elections.

Insecurity: Turkish Drones, Helicopters to Arrive in Nigeria Soon, Says Ambassador Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, yesterday revealed that drones and helicopters from Turkey would soon arrive in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the security architecture of the country.

Bayraktar made this known during the commemoration of the 99th National Day of the Republic of Turkey in Abuja.

Bayraktar described the security support from Turkey to Nigeria as an achievement from the defence cooperation contract signed between both countries in 2021.

He said Turkey was set to extend all kinds of support to Nigeria in its efforts to counter its security threats by sharing its experience, technical expertise and technology.

“The defence contracts signed between our countries last year marked a historical record.

“Taking this opportunity, I am proud to announce that two of our flagship defence industry platforms, Bayraktar (TB-2) drones

and (T-149) ATAK helicopters, are set to arrive in Nigeria.

“We are confident that new Turkish defence products will support the efforts of the Nigerian Government and contribute immensely to the peace, prosperity and security of fellow Nigerians,” Bayraktar said.

Bayraktar said that the Turkish Government is also expecting the Nigerian Government to reciprocate its legitimate security concerns by taking the necessary steps against the strong presence of the heinous FETO terrorist group in Nigeria.

“Remaining as the sole obstacle hindering our bilateral relations to develop further, we call Nigeria not to let terror groups undermine our excellent ties, by allowing this terrorist group to fund their illegal aims and activities, by the generation of revenues in this country.

On the bilateral relations between both countries, Bayraktar said he was very proud that 2021 and 2022 had been a period of great achievements in the bilateral

relations between Turkey and Nigeria.

Bayraktar said that year 2022 which marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Nigeria, had indeed gained a huge momentum recently, with the reciprocal high-level visits of President Erdogan, in October 2021 and President Buhari, in December 2021.

He said that with the current pace of increasing commercial relations, he was confident that Turkey would soon achieve the target of $5 billion of bilateral trading volume with Nigeria.

“These mutual high-level visits have provided the opportunity to underline our shared goal of strengthening our bilateral ties in every field, especially in terms of commerce, defence industry, energy, construction, manufacturing healthcare, education, tourism and culture.

“With its steady growth over the last decade and by emerging as an economic powerhouse in its region, Türkiye expressed its readiness to share its development experience

with the African States, to broaden and strengthen its cooperation in different areas.

“Today, Turkish business people some of whom are present here tonight, are investing in numerous sectors, from Fast-MovingConsumer-Goods to construction, from healthcare to transportation, from energy to agriculture.

“With the current pace of increasing commercial relations, I am confident that we will soon achieve our target of $5 billion of bilateral trading volume with Nigeria, which remains one of our top trading partners in sub-Saharan Africa,” Bayraktar said.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada said that Nigeria and Turkey witnessed increased trade and bilateral relations since the high-level visit exchange between both Presidents in 2021.

Dada also said Nigerians remained keen on doing business with their Turkish counterparts which are reflected in the TurkeyNigeria Business Congress held in September 2021 in Istanbul.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

9

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 30, 2022

10

NEWS

MAKING STEADY PROGRESS… L-R: Member, Board of Trustees, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Mr. Peter Odili Jnr; Registrar/Secretary General, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Farouk Abubakar, and the Pro-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences and former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, during the first induction/oath taking ceremony for newly graduated nurses at the school in Port Harcourt…recently

FG Plans to Auction Seven Deep Offshore Oil Blocks in November We are curtailing crude oil theft, says Sylva

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in Warri The federal government plans to auction deep offshore oil and gas licences for the first time in 15 years, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has said.

The Chief Executive of the commission, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, told Bloomberg in an interview, that Nigeria would launch a bidding round for seven deep-water blocks in November.

This is coming as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, yesterday said the federal government was making concerted efforts aimed at curtailing crude oil theft in the country.

The last time the federal government issued dozens of such permits was between 1993 and 2007, and it was meant to open up the ocean floor to oil and gas production.

According to Komolafe, the blocks available are at depths of between about 1,200 meters (3,936 feet) and 3,100 metres.

They are located off the city of Lagos, rather than off the coast of the Niger Delta further to the east where most of the country’s oil industry is concentrated, he said.

The decision to put up the assets for sale is coming months after the NUPRC concluded the disposal of 57 marginal fields after a long and winding process to ramp up the country’s struggling oil production efforts.

Nigeria’s oil output fell to a multi-decade low of fewer than 1.2 million barrels per day in September and has almost halved since the first quarter of 2020.

The government blames rampant crude theft on the pipelines that crisscross the Niger Delta for shutting down wells and killing off investment.

In recent years, deep-water production led by international companies such as Shell Plc and TotalEnergies SE has accounted for about 35 per cent of oil output but its

share has risen this year as onshore operators have struggled.

In addition to granting new licenses, the government is encouraging current block-holders to develop more of their offshore acreage.

Earlier this month, the NUPRC also resumed a separate bidding round for firms interested in commercialising gas that is burned off – or “flared” – by oil producers.

While Nigeria possesses Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, over 208 TCF, most of it is untapped, flared or re-injected into oil wells currently.

Meanwhile, the global technology group, Wärtsilä, has released its new report: “Nigeria Leading Africa to Net Zero”, which provided a detailed roadmap to how Nigeria should proceed to build a 100 per cent renewable energy power system by 2060.

Using advanced energy system modelling techniques, Wärtsilä’s analysts have outlined the most cost-effective power system that can be built in Nigeria year after year to reach net zero by 2060.

According to the Wärtsilä’s report, the optimal power system will consist of 1,200 Gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity and would require a total of 283 GW of energy storage and 34 GW of engine-based power plants for grid balancing purposes.

We are Curtailing Crude Oil Theft, Says Sylva Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sylva, yesterday said the federal government was making concerted efforts aimed at curtailing crude oil theft in the country.

Sylva noted that the hydra-headed menace has denied the country 700,000 barrels per day of crude oil, thereby reducing the government's revenue and the much-needed foreign exchange.

The minister, who spoke at the

22nd convocation ceremony of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun in Delta State, maintained that the criminal activities were not taking place in oblivion hence the involvement of locals in tackling the problem.

Sylva, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, said: "Currently, this administration is making concerted efforts to curtail the issue of crude oil theft which has reduced the government’s revenue and foreign exchange income. Oil theft has denied the country of estimated 700,000 barrels per day.

"The adverse effect of this is the drop in crude oil production. Despite this setback, the government is not deterred from meeting the country’s OPEC quota. These criminal activities

are not taking place in oblivion.

Therefore, the involvement of the locals in tackling the problem is very essential," he said.

Sylva disclosed that the federal government has also acquired stateof-the-art software and gadgets to detect and monitor crude oil theft in real time, noting that the PTI, as an indispensable organ of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, could not be ignored, while mentioning the goals and achievements of the present administration.

"This is because the management of the Petroleum Training Institute has aligned itself with the agenda of the Petroleum Ministry through its Research Directorate. The ministry has given the Institute mandates in different areas such as the research on the use of local materials in

crude oil production, gas flare commercialisation, and last but not the least, finding sustainable ways of increasing our nation’s domestic refining capacity to achieve its OPEC quota", he explained.

The minister stressed the need for PTI to expand its core mandate of providing competent technological manpower through quality training, research, and consultancy for the petroleum and allied industries to implementation of programmes that are designed to equip staff with knowledge and skills to achieve the Institute’s mandate.

"This will keep them up to date on recent trends that are pertinent to the oil and gas industry. Similarly, liaison with relevant parastatals, local and international oil companies for the continuous upgrade of relevant

training equipment will be in the best interest of the Institute this 21st Century", he added.

Principal and Chief Executive Officer of PTI, Dr. Henry Adimula said a total of 1,160 graduated from the Institute for 2020-2021 with 659 awarded National Diplomas while 501 bagged Higher National Diplomas and six received General Welding Certificates.

He disclosed that 112 students graduated with distinctions while 380 graduated with upper credit grades.

Adimula solicited the cooperation of the National Assembly and major stakeholders in the oil and gas sector for the amendment of the Act that established the Institute to enable it to perform effectively and efficiently in line with the current global trends in the sector.

Cole: Amaechi Didn’t Impose Me as Rivers APC Guber Candidate Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The embattled governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Mr. Tonye Cole, has denied that he was imposed as the party’s candidate for the 2023 governorship poll.

Cole said contrary to claims that a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, imposed him on the Rivers APC as governorship candidate, he emerged in a keenly contested primary election.

He spoke against the backdrop that his alleged imposition may be responsible for an internal crisis that rocked the Rivers APC and resulted in the subsequent nullification of the primary election that produced him and other APC candidates for all elective positions in the state.

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Wednesday nullified the primaries over the illegal exclusion of some members of the party as delegates.

The judgment was delivered in a case brought before the court by some members of the Rivers APC led by one George Orlu.

The development is reminiscent of a similar situation suffered by the Rivers APC in 2019 when the court nullified the parallel primary elections conducted by the party, leaving it without a candidate for any of the elective positions.

The court had barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any candidate of the APC for the 2019 general election in the state.

But speaking at the weekend

during a live television programme, Cole according to TheWhistler, said the situation this time around is different as the Rivers APC held proper primary and provided a level-playing ground for all candidates to compete.

Reacting to the allegation of imposition, he said: “Four years ago, that was a political statement that was made and it was used as an excuse to cause the fight that divided us and cost us the ballot. But that was four years ago.

A lot has changed in four years.

“People expected that I was going to disappear; I wasn’t going to be there anymore; I wasn’t going to be in politics.

But this time around we had a very competitive process.

“I wasn’t going anywhere; I’ve chosen to remain; I have chosen to give 20 years of my life to politics;

I have chosen to serve the people and I have chosen to be different.

And so, what happened this time around was that we competed aggressively for this position and I came out through a competitive internal process.

“There is nobody in APC today that will say that I was imposed on them because they know how competitive it was.”

Two months after Cole emerged as Rivers APC governorship candidate, a former lawmaker representing Rivers South-East senatorial district, Magnus Abe, dumped the party.

Abe later joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and would be running as the party’s governorship candidate against Cole and Siminialayi Fubara of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amongst others.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

11

12

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

13

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

14

NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

Makinde: I Won’t Support Atiku Unless PDP Ensure Fairness ([SODLQV ZK\ KH GHVHUYHV VHFRQG WHUP LQ RIÀFH Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde yesterday noted that he would not support the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar until the party ensured fairness.

Makinde said his administration has been able to deliver accelerated development to the state in the last three and a half years, adding that his performance justifies his reelection bid.

He made the remarks a live interview session on a radio

FG Promises to Lift 35m out of Poverty by 2025 The federal government has said the federal government will generate 21 million jobs and lift 35 million people out of poverty by 2025.

The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo revealed the figure in a statement his media aide, Sam Idiagbonya issued at the ongoing 2022 ministerial retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

The minister said the transportation sector would set the stage to achieve this.

He said infrastructural gaps in the sector necessitated the creation of national development plans; medium-term development plans 2021-2025 and a long-term plan called the Nigeria agenda 2050.

“This is to invest massively in infrastructure, ensure macro-

economic stability, enhance the investment environment, improve living conditions and implement climate change mitigation.

“This will generate 21 million full-time jobs and lift 35 million people out of poverty by 2025, thus setting the stage for achieving the government’s commitment of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

“The plans are aimed at accelerating the growth of the transportation sector in the country with a strategic medium-term vision statement.

“I am well aware that you are all conversant with these high-level goals, as they have become a blueprint for tracking performance towards the delivery of our mandates.

Buhari Rejoices with Afe Babalola at 93 Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, as he marks his 93rd birthday on October 30.

In a statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, the president congratulated the renowned lawyer and educationist for lofty dreams, commendable achievements and contributions to the development of the country.

Buhari shared the joy of the occasion with family, friends and professional colleagues of the nonagenarian, who was called to the England bar in 1963, and became a Senior

Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1987, raising the standard of legal profession in Nigeria by dint of hard work, and grooming generation of lawyers that continue to carry on his legacy.

He celebrated Babalola for his love and care for others, envisioning and realizing one of the best universities in the country, with world class administration, faculties and departments, especially in health care and following up to provide scholarship for indigent citizens.

Buhari prayed that the Almighty God will uphold the lawyer and educationist in good health and grant him more strength to keep serving the country and humanity.

Oyebanji to Immortalise Late Speaker Afuye Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji yesterday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Funminiyi Afuye, saying the government shall Immortalise him for his remarkable contributions to the state.

The governor revealed that he was grieved by the death of the late politician and leader of the All Progressives Congress.

Oyebanji was received by the widow, Mrs Titilayo Afuye and other family members.

The governor noted that the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye had visited the family on behalf of the government immediately

after the unfortunate incident, recalled pleasant memories of the late Speaker, especially his sterling leadership qualities, commitment to democratic values and amiable personality.

He pledged the support of the government to the family, adding that the state Government will immortalise the late Speaker.

“This is a huge loss to the Government and people of Ekiti State. We feel your pains and we pray the Good Lord will heal the wound and console you and the entire family.

“As government, we shall support the family in everyway possible and we shall immortalise him. That is one of the ways we can show our appreciation for the quality and selfless service Hon Afuye rendered to our dear state.”

station in Ibadan, saying with the achievements recorded by the administration across the four service point areas of education, security, health and economic expansion through agribusiness and infrastructure, he deserved to be re-elected by the people of the state.

Asked about the crisis within the PDP at the national level, Makinde said he would only support Atiku if the party did

the needful.

According to him, the party must demonstrate that it can ensure fairness and justice within its system before seeking to implement it on the country.

Makinde maintained that if re-elected in 2023, he would go on to deliver Omituntun 2.0, which he said would centre on delivering sustainable development to the people of the state.

He said: “When I was

campaigning for election in 2018, I brought out a roadmap and promised the people that it was meant for accelerated development of Oyo State.

Now, based on what we have experienced, we have brought another roadmap, but this time round, it is for sustainable development 2023-2027.”

On how the administration has been able to deliver infrastructure that targets its

economic expansion programme, Makinde said his government’s idea of infrastructure development has seen over 500 kilometres of road either completed or been constructed.

He maintained that in line with its determination to boost the economy of the state, the government embarked on an effort to link all five zones of the state with quality road infrastructure.

SUGAR MASTERPLAN… L-R: GMD Dangote Sugar Refinery, Mr. Ravindra Singvhi; Nasarawa State Governor and Chairman, Forum of Governors of Sugar Producing States, Abdullahi Sule, and Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Mr. Zacch Adedeji during courtesy visit to the Government House, Lafia, Nasarawa… yesterday

Lagos, Oando Agree to Deploy Electric BRT Buses by 2023 Peter Uzoho Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), a renewable energy subsidiary of the Oando Group, has said residents of Lagos State will have the opportunity to ride on an Electric-powered Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) by 2023.

Executive Vice President, Oando Clean Energy, Mr. Ademola Ogunbanjo, disclosed this during a webcast session hosted by EY Nigeria, on “Climate Change and

Its Implications on the Nigerian Energy Sector.”

Apart from Ogunbanjo, other speakers at the panel include the Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Energy, Dr Chioma Nwachukwu; Director General, National Council on Climate Change, Dr Salisu Dahiru and EY’s Specialist Africa Climate Change and Sustainability Advisory Practice, EY COVA, Mr. Duane Newman.

Ogunbanjo gave the update

on Oando’s electric vehicles deployment in partnership with the Lagos State Government, stating that the future of energy was green.

Oando had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) for the introduction of electric mass transit buses in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.

“We, in Oando Clean Energy Limited, we are deploying that

in partnership with the Lagos State Goverment. By this time next year, if you are in Lagos, you will be able to jump on a BRT bus that’s 100 per cent electric.

“We will run the proof of concept by January 2023. Then, we roll out fully before the year is over, and hopefully, overtime, as the cost of electric buses go down, we particularly want to begin to assemble or manufacture locally in Nigeria.

Bandits Kidnap Ex-UI Deputy VC, Students on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Former Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adigun Agbaje has been kidnapped along the Lagos-Ibadan highway.

Agbaje, a Professor of Political Science, was kidnapped alongside two students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State Friday evening.

Shortly after the incident, their kidnappers yesterday

made contacts with the families, demanding N50 million ransom on Agbaje and N10 million on each of the students.

Findings said a policeman was killed in the shootout that ensued between the kidnappers and men of the Oyo State Police Command attached to the Tollgate area who were first drafted after sporadic gunshots were heard near the Dominion University some kilometres away from Ibadan.

Further findings revealed that they only saw abandoned vehicles with their doors opened without knowing who the owners were.

Speaking on the incident yesterday, Police Public Relations Office, Oyo State Command, Adewale Osifeso confirmed that a police officer was killed while another one was critically injured during the attack.

It was gathered that the family members and

members of the university community were already making efforts to see how to secure freedom of the don.

According to the website of the Institute of Cultural Studies Adigun Agbaje has been Professor of Political Science at the University of Ibadan since 1998. He was Dean, Faculty of the Social Sciences (20032005) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academic matters (2006-2010) at the same University.

Taraba Demands Justice for Indigene Assaulted by Associate Professor Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Taraba State Government yesterday asked its Nasarawa counterpart to ensure justice in the case of its indigene, Blessing Mathias allegedly assaulted by an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Lafia, Fred Ekpa Ayokhai.

It made the request when Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs

Bridget Twar led a delegation of top functionaries to the Government House, Lafia, Nasarawa to check the condition of the victim.

The delegation was received

by Nasarawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Aishatu Ibrahim and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Abdulkarim Kana, among others.

After meeting with officials of the Nasarawa State government in Lafia, Twar said: “We came to see Blessing ourselves to ensure that justice prevailed over her circumstance.

“I am comfortable with the steps Nasarawa State has taken and I believe justice will be given to her. I am comfortable. I will go back home (Taraba) and report to the First Lady of our state, as I leave Nasarawa State to

continue with what they are doing.” The commissioner said she “will therefore take official of the Nasarawa State for their words that justice will prevail. It is justice that we want. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Also after the meeting, Ibrahim assured the Taraba delegation of justice for the victim of the assault, which according to her, would be handled in line with the laws.

15

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

NEWS

FG Seeks Govs’ Support for Sugar Masterplan Implementation Daji Sani in Yola The federal government yesterday sought the support of governors of sugar-producing states in the country to revitalise the sugar sub-sector and implement Phase II of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, saying the plan required the inputs of all critical stakeholders to succeed.

The apex government revealed the plan to increase its national sugar production from 1.7 million metric tonnes to 1.8 million metric tonnes per annum in the next 10 years.

Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Zacch Adedeji made the appeal when he visited

Nasarawa State Governor and Chairman, Forum of Governors of Sugar Producing States, Alhaji Sule Abdullahi in Lafia yesterday.

The federal government had in 2013 began the implementation of a 10-year master plan to revamp sugar sector. The policy plan code-named the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) has four major objectives which are for Nigeria to attain self sufficiency in sugar production, stem the rising tide of sugar importation, create job opportunity for Nigerians and the generation of electricity and production of ethanol for industrial purposes.

The first phase of the plan is expected to end in the first quarter of 2023.

Speaking at the session with the governor yesterday, Adedeji said state governors as landlords of sugar projects in their respective domains have contributed to the modest success so far recorded in the industry.

He commended the forum of governors of sugar producing states for creating a safe and enabling environment for sugar operators to go about their business activities without hitches such as perennial disagreements over land ownership between host communities and operators, communal hostilities and other

associated challenges.

He said the forum has contributed to the peace enjoyed across communities hosting sugar projects across states.

Speaking on the current status of the master plan yesterday, Adedeji said given the importance of the sector to Nigeria’s economy, and considerable success recorded in the last 10 years, President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved the phase 2 of the master plan which is expected to run for another 10 years beginning from 2023.

“We are quite pleased with the invaluable contributions of the forum you chair to the faithful implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan. We’ve made considerable progress in critical segments of the NSMP, especially as it relates to the refining component of the plan.

“Our next plan of action is to replicate the successes recorded in the area of sugar refining in our field and agricultural operations. As you rightly know, the NSMP isn’t about sugar production alone, we count largely on it’s ability to take millions of our

people out of poverty, develop infrastructure and improve the economic status of communities hosting sugar projects. We are quite optimistic about our projections in the sugar industry.

“We shall rely heavily on the use of verifiable data and modern technology in to drive the phase 2 of the master plan. The sugar sector holds tremendous opportunities for Nigeria and Nigerians in terms of job creation for our youths, increased revenue and general economic prosperity for the nation”.

House C’tte Mulls Budget Review for Consumer Protection Tribunal The House of Representatives Committee on Commerce has said it will consider an upward review of the budgetary allocation to Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT).

The committee also sought the implementation of the judgment the tribunal passed against MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd. on “Pay-As-You-Go“.

CCPT Head of Corporate Communications and Strategy Unit, Ayotomiwa Ayodele disclosed yesterday in a statement issued in Abuja.

She said the lawmakers promised to look into the complaint of the tribunal arising from the cut in its 2023 budgetary provision with a view to reviewing the

allocation.

The Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Femi Fakeye, commended the tribunal for a job well done in the year under review.

The statement quoted CCPT Chairman, Hajia Saratu Shafii, as saying that the tribunal’s 2023 budget was slashed by 38 per cent.

Shafii urged the committee to look into the budget and use its power of allocation to improve the lots of the tribunal in order for it to achieve better service delivery.

The statement quoted the lawmaker as seizing the opportunity to inquire about one of the major cases brought before the tribunal which involved MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd.

Plateau Secures $50m French Grant to Expand Water Project Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Plateau State Government has received $50 million- grants from the French Development Agency (AFD) to expand water project in the state.

The Managing Director, Plateau State Water Board, Mrs Stella Buge revealed the figure while receiving a French delegation who were in the state yesterday to inspect water plants in Jos. Buge said with the fund, the corporation would extend more kilometres of water pipes to areas in the state that hitherto

lacked water supply, thereby tackling the perennial challenges of water scarcity in the state.

She said: “Today the AFD is here on a supervision mission of this project for the rehabilitation of infrastructure and extension of the distribution network. This project is to ensure improvement of water quality and supply to the people of Plateau.

“The team of engineers have gone round and inspected the two water plants to be rehabilitated; the Yakubu Gowon dam and the Lamingo Dam.”

Songhai HMO, Zenith Partner to Provide High Standard Medical Services Udora Orizu in Abuja In an effort to strengthen the effort in curtailing the high cost of medical tourism abroad, Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre Ltd (ZMKC) has signed a strategic partnership with one of Nigeria’s leading HMOs, Songhai Health Trust Limited.

At the signing ceremony held at the ZMKC facility in Abuja, the Chief Medical Director of the centre, Dr. Olatise Olakunle said the facility is the most renowned renal care service provider in West Africa at the moment.

ZMKC has two branches

in Lagos and Abuja where different medical services are provided, including dialysis and kidney transplant with an impressive success rate.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Songhai Health Trust Limited, Bello Bwari, observed that the partnership “is one that aims at a collaboration to promote a high standard of medical care within Nigeria.”

Bwari also assured that all the enrollees of Songhai HMO and its partners will enjoy better access and a more affordable option under this strategic partnership.

COMMITTEE OF FRIENDS… L-R: Prof. Sanni Abiola (SAN), Mrs ifeoma ikegwuonu , Chief Salome Ezeofor, Senator Victor Umeh, High Chief Jideofor Ezeofor and Prince Chris Atuegwu, at the funeral of Mrs. Marie Therese Izundu in Akwaeze, Anambra State... recently

Tinubu Presents 80-page Manifesto to Afenifere Leaders Today Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will today pay a courtesy visit to Pa Reuben Fasoranti and the leadership of the Yoruba cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

This was disclosed in a statement issued last night by the Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign Council,

Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu had on October 20 released an 80-page policy document on the eve of his PCC inauguration at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.

The document highlights an eight-point agenda such as national security, economy, agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation and education, which he tagged “Renewed Hope 2023 – Action Plan for a Better Nigeria.”

The statement read, “During

the visit, he will also present his Action Plan on how he intends to tackle the economic and other problems the country is grappling with.

“Tinubu addressed a coalition of Arewa groups in Kaduna during which he highlighted the key elements of the plan, especially as they benefit the people of northern Nigeria.

“The APC standard bearer will similarly speak on his plans on Sunday before the Yoruba group,

led by Pa Reuben Fasoranti.”

Onanuga further disclosed that the former two-term governor would on Tuesday be in Lagos to discuss with the chambers of commerce in the South-West on how he intended to improve the economy of Nigeria, to achieve a double-digit growth.

Also, in another development yesterday, the APC Women Presidential Campaign Team made a cash donation of N20 million to those affected by flood in Damaturu, Yobe State

Coalition Puts Nigeria’s Annual Loss to Gas-flaring Under-reportage at $600m Sunday Ehigiator A coalition of civil society organisations under the Advocacy for Gas Flared Accountability in Nigeria has revealed that the country loses $600 million to under-reporting of gas flaring every year.

The coalition also operators in the oil and gas sector to fully implement the mechanism it put in place to avert growing loss

to gas flaring under-reportage.

This was revealed at a session on with stakeholders and regulatory agencies with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Palladium in Lagos.

AGFAN equally revealed that Nigeria was a major culprit of gas flaring with global GHG emissions numbering 347 million tonnes of Co2.

The coalition comprises Initiative for Community Development, ANPEZ Centre for Environment and Development, Entrepreneurial Development Initiative, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa and Centre for Transparency Advocacy, among others.

Speaking at the session, Chief Executive Officer, Initiative for Community Development

(ICD), Benjamin Ogbalor lamented that gas flaring “is a lose-lose situation for Nigeria.”

He noted that there had been heightened concern and agitation in oil-producing communities due to increased incidence of regular high temperature or thermal gradient and unprecedented heat for humans, crops and animals in flare vicinity.

Middle Belt Movement Asks Ortom to Stop Causing Distraction George Okoh in Makurdi The Middle Belt Renaissance Movement (MRM) has warned Benue State Governor, Mr Samuel Ortom to stop distracting the supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the region over 2023 general elections.

The movement added that the presidential candidate of the PDP,

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar “remains the constitutionally recognised candidate of the party in the next presidential election.

In a statement by its Chairman of Board of Trustees, Mr. Philip Terver, the movement urged the governor to retrace his steps and come back to the fold in the interest of his state and the Middle Belt.

According to the statement,

it is high time Ortom jettisoned his personal and selfish ambition for the sake of the people in the state, who are earnestly waiting forPDPtorescuethestateandcountry from the maladministration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government in the country.

Terver asserted that the group has tentacles across the length and breadth of the state and the region, and will continue to work

tirelessly to ensure victory for Atiku Abubaka in the coming presidential election.

Cautioning the Wike camp in the PDP to stop misleading the teeming and loyal supporters of the party across the nation, Terver said they should all come back to the fold and work for the victory of the party in the interest of Nigerians, who have suffered untold hardships under the misrule of APC.

16

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

17

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

BUSINESS

Editor: Festus Akanbi 08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

When CBN Redesigns Naira to Halt Slide $PLGVW WKH VKRFN DQG FRQIXVLRQ WUDLOLQJ WKH IUHH IDOO RI WKH QDLUD LQ WKH IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH PDUNHW WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI 1LJHULD LV VHW WR LQWURGXFH QHZ QDLUD QRWHV DV RWKHU VWDNHKROGHUV LQ WKH QDWLRQ·V IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH PDUNHW FRQWLQXH WR H[SORUH PHDQV RI KDOWLQJ LWV VOLGH DQG IRUWLI\ WKH HFRQRP\ against the impact of the current global challenges, reports Festus Akanbi

F

or most of last week, the exchange rate between the naira and the US dollar closed at N441.67/$1 at the Investors and Exporters window, where forex is traded R΀FLDOO\ On the other hand, the exchange rate between the naira and the US dollar fell at the black market to trade at an average RI 1 RQ :HGQHVGD\ 2FWREHU CBN Redesigns Naira Therefore, as the authorities continue to battle WKH WZLQ SUREOHP RI YRODWLOLW\ LQ WKH YDOXH RI WKH naira and the rising volume of cash outside the EDQNLQJ V\VWHP WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI 1LJHULD &%1 ODVW :HGQHVGD\ DQQRXQFHG D SODQ WR introduce new naira notes beginning from 1RYHPEHU WKLV \HDU 7KH &%1 *RYHUQRU *RGZLQ (PHÀHOH KDG ODPHQWHG WKDW DERXW SHU FHQW RI WKH PRQH\ LQ FLUFXODWLRQ LV RXWVLGH WKH EDQNLQJ V\VWHP D GHYHORSPHQW VRPH DQDO\VWV OLVWHG DV RQH RI WKH causes of the current pressure on the naira. +H ODPHQWHG WKDW RXW RI 1 WULOOLRQ LQ FLUFXODWLRQ RYHU SHU FHQW RI WKH PRQH\ WRWDOOLQJ 1 WULOOLRQ LV RXWVLGH WKH EDQNLQJ V\VWHP 7KH QHZ QRWHV ZLOO EH LQ IRUP RI 1 1 and N1000 and the old notes will cease to be OHJDO WHQGHU DV RI -DQXDU\ What Financial Analysts Say +RZHYHU ÀQDQFLDO DQDO\VWV GLͿHUHG RQ ZKHWKHU WKH QHZ QDLUD QRWHV FDQ DͿHFW WKH HFRQRP\ RU QRW ,Q KLV RSLQLRQ D 3URIHVVRU RI &DSLWDO 0DUNHW 6WXGLHV DQG WKH &KDLUPDQ RI WKH &KDUWHUHG ,QVWLWXWH RI %DQNHUV RI 1LJHULD $EXMD &KDSWHU Prof. Uche Uwaleke believed the decision will FXUE EODFN PRQH\ DQG FRUUXSWLRQ +H VDLG ´$OWKRXJK WKH PHDVXUH GRHV QRW DPRXQW WR GHPRQHWLVDWLRQ RI ELJ FXUUHQF\ QRWHV RIWHQ FDUULHG RXW E\ FHQWUDO EDQNV WR FXUE EODFN PRQH\ DQG FRUUXSWLRQ LW ZLOO JR D ORQJ ZD\ in ensuring that a lot of naira notes circulating outside the banks are crowded in.

“I expect that the Financial Intelligence Unit will be on the watch out for huge deposits as D ZD\ RI PRQLWRULQJ LOOHJLWLPDWH WUDQVDFWLRQV +LV YLHZ ZDV FRUURERUDWHG E\ D 3URIHVVRU RI (FRQRPLFV DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI $EXMD 3URI 2\LQOROD 2ODQL\L ZKR PDLQWDLQHG WKDW WKH GHFLVLRQ ZRXOG EH D PDMRU VKRFN WR SHRSOH ZKR KDYH KRDUGHG VWROHQ IXQGV WKDW WKH\ FDQ·W DFFRXQW IRU 2ODQL\L VDLG ´,I \RX KDYH ROG QRWHV WDNH LW WR WKH EDQN DQG LI KDYH VWROHQ PRQH\ DQG \RX KDYH KRDUGHG LW LQ \RXU KRXVH NQRZLQJ WKDW LI \RX EULQJ LW RXW \RX ZLOO EH TXHVWLRQHG WKHQ WKDW LV H[DFWO\ RQH RI WKH WKLQJV JRYHUQPHQWV want to achieve. +RZHYHU WKH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI (FRQRPLF $VVRFLDWHV 'U $\R 7HULED GLG QRW VKDUH WKH &%1·V RSWLPLVP WKDW WKH QHZ FXUUHQF\ ZRXOG KDYH HͿHFWV RQ WKH HFRQRP\ 'LVDJUHHLQJ ZLWK WKH DSH[ EDQN JRYHUQRU 7HULED VDLG FRQWUDU\ WR (PHÀHOH·V FODLP DERXW the decision improving the naira, the redesigning of naira notes will not add to the value of the FXUUHQF\ ZKLFK WUDGHV DURXQG 1 SHU GROODU at the black market. +H VDLG ´7KHUH LV QR UHDVRQ ZK\ LW VKRXOG KDYH DQ\ HͿHFW &XUUHQFLHV JHW ZLWKGUDZQ from circulation and are replaced with new RQHV URXWLQHO\ 6R LI \RX ZDQW WR FKDQJH WKH design and withdraw the existing one from circulation, it is not too far from withdrawing worn-out currencies and replacing them with QHZO\ SULQWHG QRWHV “The value of the notes will not change, WKH FRORXU ZLOO FKDQJH WKH SLFWXUH RQ LW PD\ change but all those things are immaterial from an economic point of view.”

begin to bank on remittances while calling for WKH EUHDN RI WKH JDS EHWZHHQ WKH R΀FLDO DQG parallel market rates.

Emefiele

Volatility in Forex Market 0HDQZKLOH VRPH PDUNHW ZDWFKHUV VDLG WKH FXUUHQW VLWXDWLRQ LQ WKH QDWLRQ·V IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH PDUNHW ZKLFK LV DOUHDG\ ZRUVHQing the fate of the naira has continued to heighten fears among traders and investors.

“It is a dangerous scenario which makes LW ULVN\ WR NHHS PRQH\ LQ QDLUD WKHVH GD\V DV QR RQH NQRZV WKH YDOXH WKH FXUUHQF\ ZLOO DWWUDFW WKH QH[W GD\ µ D IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH WUDGHU LQ /DJRV WROG 7+,6'$< 6RPH REVHUYHUV ZRQGHUHG ZK\ WKH ORFDO FXUUHQF\ KDV GHÀHG D KDUYHVW RI LQWHUYHQWLRQV RI WKH &%1 ZKLFK LW SXW in place from time to time, to halt the slide in the naira value.

However, when contacted, the President RI WKH $VVRFLDWLRQ RI %XUHDX GH &KDQJH 2SHUDWRUV RI 1LJHULD $%&21 0U $PLQX *ZDGDEH VDLG WKH QDLUD KDV QRW EHHQ DEOH to respond to some of the previous regulaWRU\ LQWHUYHQWLRQV EHFDXVH WKH DWWHQWLRQ RI WKH DSH[ EDQN ZDV PDLQO\ IRFXVHG RQ WKH wholesale end of the market, leaving the retail end, which is the largest stranded.

+H VDLG ´8QIRUWXQDWHO\ PRVW RI WKH SROLFLHV DUH RQO\ JHDUHG WRZDUGV DGGUHVVLQJ WKH QHHGV LQ the wholesale market while ignoring the critical retail end of the market,” explaining that the critical retail end of the market is where the pressure is high and has a spiralling impact in the exchange rate depreciation.

On other options available to the regulator, *ZDGDEH VDLG ´*LYHQ WKH DERYH WKH &%1 QHHGV WR DV D PDWWHU RI XUJHQF\ ORRN LQWR OLTXLGLW\ VXSSO\ WR WKH FULWLFDO UHWDLO PDUNHW E\ PDNLQJ %'&V SDUW RI WKH HFRV\VWHP µ 7KLV KH VDLG FDQ EH DFKLHYHG E\ EUHDNLQJ WKH PRQRSRO\ RI ELJ SOD\HUV E\ UHIRUPLQJ WKH EXVLQHVV PRGHO RI WKH %'&V DQG PDNLQJ WKHP SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKH QHZ SD\PHQW VSDFH $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP ´7KH QDLUD LV DPRQJ WKH ZRUVW SHUIRUPLQJ FXUUHQF\ DJDLQVW WKH GROODUV LQ WKH ZRUOG DV D UHVXOW RI RXU WUDGH SD\PHQWV imbalances and dwindling reserves.” +H WKHUHIRUH FDOOHG IRU D FRQFHUWHG HͿRUW WR DGGUHVV VXSSO\ VLGH IXQGDPHQWDOV *LYHQ WKH SDXFLW\ RI GROODUV LQ WKH NLWW\ DQG the uninspiring performance of the oil sector DV D UHYHQXH HDUQHU *ZDGDEH VDLG 1LJHULD FDQ

Falling Reserves $Q DQDO\VLV RI WKH PRYHPHQW RI WKH IRUHLJQ UHVHUYHV RQ WKH &%1 ZHEVLWH RQ :HGQHVGD\ 2FWREHU SXW WKH ÀJXUH DW ELOOLRQ DV DJDLQVW ELOOLRQ DW WKH HQG RI ODVW \HDU 7R D JUHDWHU H[WHQW WKH YDOXH RI D FRXQWU\·V external reserves determines the strength of its ORFDO FXUUHQF\ ² WKH PRUH GROODUV LQ WKH UHVHUYHV WKH EHWWHU FKDQFH WR HͿHFWLYHO\ GHIHQG DQG SUHserve the value of the naira.

Rising Importation $QDO\VWV SRLQWHG RXW WKDW 1LJHULD·V XQIDYRXUDEOH EDODQFH RI SD\PHQWV ZKLFK PDQLIHVWHG LQ the rising import bill while export proceeds remain low should be blamed for the current GROODU VFDUFLW\ DQG WKH FRUUHVSRQGLQJ SUHVVXUH on the naira.

2QH RI WKH ÀQDQFLDO H[SHUWV ZKR EHOLHYHG LW LV WKH UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RI WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW WR PDNH D GLͿHUHQFH LV WKH 5HODWLRQVKLS 0DQDJHU RI &RUSRUDWH %DQNLQJ DW )6'+ 0HUFKDQW %DQN $\RGHOH $NLQZXQPL +H ZDV TXRWHG DV VD\LQJ WKDW WKH GLUHFWLRQ RI WKH QDLUD LQ WKH VKRUW WHUP ZLOO ODUJHO\ GHSHQG RQ WKH DELOLW\ RI WKH FRXQWU\ WR H[SRUW ERWK RLO and non-oil goods and services, attract foreign direct investments (which can happen through WKH SURYLVLRQ DGHTXDWH VHFXULW\ RI OLYHV DQG SURSHUW\ LQ WKH FRXQWU\ DQG WKH FRXQWU\·V DELOLW\ WR FUHDWH DQ HQDEOLQJ HQYLURQPHQW WKDW will ensure that it produces goods that it has a competitive advantage over other countries to reduce imports.” $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH ODWHVW (FRQRPLF &RPSOH[LW\ 5HSRUW WKH WRS H[SRUWV RI 1LJHULD DUH FUXGH SHWUROHXP ELOOLRQ SHWUROHXP JDV ELOOLRQ VFUDS YHVVHOV ELOOLRQ 6SHFLDO SXUSRVH VKLSV PLOOLRQ DQG UHÀQHG SHWUROHXP PLOOLRQ H[SRUWLQJ PRVWO\ WR ,QGLD ELOOLRQ 6SDLQ ELOOLRQ &KLQD ELOOLRQ 1HWKHUODQGV ELOOLRQ DQG 6RXWK $IULFD ELOOLRQ On the other hand, the top imports of NigeULD DUH UHÀQHG SHWUROHXP ELOOLRQ FDUV ELOOLRQ ZKHDW ELOOLRQ SDFNDJHG PHGLFDPHQWV ELOOLRQ DQG WHOHSKRQHV PLOOLRQ LPSRUWLQJ PRVWO\ IURP &KLQD ELOOLRQ 1HWKHUODQG ELOOLRQ 8QLWHG 6WDWHV ELOOLRQ ,QGLD ELOOLRQ DQG %HOJLXP ELOOLRQ )LQDQFLDO DQDO\VWV ZKR VDLG WKH QDLUD GHSUHFLDWLRQ GLGQ·W FRPH DV D VXUSULVH VDLG QDUUDWLYHV IURP ZLWKLQ DQG IURP RXWVLGH WKH FRXQWU\ KDYH ]HURHG WKH PLQGV RI 1LJHULDQV WR D OLNHO\ GHSUHFLDWLRQ RI WKH FXUUHQF\ 7KH\ PDLQWDLQHG WKDW DOWKRXJK WKH DSH[ EDQN GRHVQ·W VHHP WR KDYH WKH FRXUDJH WR DQQRXQFH DQ R΀FLDO GHYDOXDWLRQ WKH SUREOHP RI DFXWH VFDUFLW\ RI IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH LQ WKH IDFH RI the crisis in the oil export has made a devaluation RI WKH FXUUHQF\ LQHYLWDEOH )RU LQVWDQFH WKH %DQN RI $PHULFD KDG SURMHFWHG WKDW WKH R΀FLDO H[FKDQJH UDWH FRXOG OLNHO\ EH GHYDOXHG WR 1 LQ EHFDXVH LW LV ZHOO above fair value. $W WKH UHFHQW SUHVHQWDWLRQ RI WKH EXGJHW E\ 3UHVLGHQW 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL WKH H[FKDQJH rate was benchmarked at N435.57 per US dollar HYHQ DV WKH 0LQLVWHU RI )LQDQFH =DLQDE $KPHG cited the multiple exchange rate as a challenge the government needs to deal with. ,Q 6HSWHPEHU $KPHG PHQWLRQHG LQ DQ LQWHUYLHZ WKDW WKH H[FKDQJH UDWH ZRXOG OLNHO\ weaken. “It will happen with time,” she said, ZLWKRXW JLYLQJ DQ\ WLPHOLQH It is hoped the various positions of stakeholdHUV LQ WKH 1LJHULDQ HFRQRP\ ZLOO EH XUJHQWO\ harmonised to halt the current slide in the naira value.

18

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

FINANCE

With New Management in Place, Polaris Bank Adopts Sustainable Growth Strategy 7KH VHDPOHVV FKDQJH RI RZQHUVKLS VXSHUYLVHG E\ WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI 1LJHULD $VVHW 0DQDJHPHQW &RUSRUDWLRQ RI 1LJHULD DQG WKH 1LJHULDQ 'HSRVLW ,QVXUDQFH &RUSRUDWLRQ WKH UHQHZHG FRQÀGHQFH RI VWDͿ DQG FXVWRPHUV DV ZHOO DV WKH GHFLVLRQ RI WKH QHZ PDQDJHPHQW WR hit the ground running last week, will be some of the low-hanging fruits that the new owners of Polaris Bank Limited will rely upon to attain sustainable growth, writes Festus Akanbi

F

orthenewmanagementofPolaris Bank Limited, time waits for no one. This is because, following the recent purchase of the bank

by Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL), its new management last week began a coordinated move to lead the institution into the path of sustainable growth.

This is because THISDAY’s random checks in some of the bank’s branches in Lagos last ZHHN VKRZHG WKDW VWDͿ DQG FXVWRPHUV RI WKH bank were going about their normal activities LQ D PDQQHU GHYRLG RI DSSUHKHQVLRQ IURP VWDͿ cash run, or any other forms of disruption which XVXDOO\ DͿHFWHG 1LJHULDQ EDQNV GXULQJ RZQHUship changes.

for the value it has created in Polaris Bank during the stabilisation period, as well as ensuring that all funds originally provided to support WKH LQWHUYHQWLRQ DUH UHFRYHUHG µ He said the sale was coordinated by a GLYHVWPHQW FRPPLWWHH FRPSULVLQJ WKH &%1 DQG $0&21 UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV DQG DGYLVHG E\ OHJDO DQG ÀQDQFLDO FRQVXOWDQWV “In the process, parties who had formally expressed interest in acquiring Polaris Bank, DIWHU WKH &%1 LQWHUYHQWLRQ LQ ZHUH LQYLWHG WR VXEPLW ÀQDQFLDO DQG WHFKQLFDO SURSRVDOV Invitations to submit proposals were sent WR SUH TXDOLÀHG LQWHUHVWHG SDUWLHV RXW RI which three parties eventually submitted ÀQDO SXUFKDVH SURSRVDOV IROORZLQJ WHFKQLFDO HYDOXDWLRQ µ 1ZDVLQREL VDLG

New Investors 7ZR ZHHNV DJR WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI 1LJHULD &%1 XQYHLOHG 6&,/ DV WKH QHZ RZQHU RI WKH bank after a vigorous bidding process.

A statement by the apex bank’s Director of &RPPXQLFDWLRQV 0U 2VLWD 1ZDQLVREL H[plained that the new owner, SCIL, completed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the acquisition of 100% of the equity in Polaris Bank, SDLG 1 ELOOLRQ DQG KDV DJUHHG WR UHIXQG 1 trillion injected into the bank. ´$V SDUW RI WKH &%1 LQWHUYHQWLRQ FRQVLGHUDWLRQ ERQGV ZLWK D IDFH YDOXH RI 1 ELOOLRQ IXWXUH YDOXH RI 1 WULOOLRQ ZHUH LQMHFWHG LQWR WKH EULGJH EDQN WKURXJK $0&21 WR EH UHSDLG RYHU \HDUV 7KHVH DFWLRQV ZHUH WDNHQ to prevent the imminent collapse of the bank, enable its stabilisation and recovery, protect depositors’funds,preventjoblossesandpreserve V\VWHPLF ÀQDQFLDO VWDELOLW\ µ WKH VWDWHPHQW VDLG “SCIL has paid an upfront consideration of 1 ELOOLRQ WR DFTXLUH RI WKH HTXLW\ RI Polaris Bank and has accepted the terms of the agreement which include the full repayment of WKH VXP RI 1 WULOOLRQ EHLQJ WKH FRQVLGHUDWLRQ bonds injected. ´7KH &%1 WKXV UHFHLYHG DQ LPPHGLDWH UHWXUQ

No Encumbrance With the constitution of a new board largely made up of the existing and the infusion of new directors, analysts said the coast is clear for Polaris Bank to compete on equal footing with other commercial banks in the country.

Perhaps, one of the jokers by the new owners wastheappointmentofMr.AdekunleSonola,an experienced banker as the managing director/ chief executive of the bank.

Analysts said Sonola came highly recomPHQGHG ZLWK PRUH WKDQ \HDUV RI H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH $IULFDQ ÀQDQFLDO VHUYLFHV VHFWRU PRVW recently as executive director of commercial banking at Union Bank Plc, before which he was the pioneer regional managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank East Africa and the director of investment banking at Standard Bank in South Africa.

Sonola has also served on the boards of )LUVW %DQN RI 1LJHULD 3OF ZKHUH KH FKDLUHG the board’s risk management committee and $LUWHO 1LJHULD 3OF 3DFW ZLWK 6WD; And in line with the determination of the new

said, “We are excited to participate in the next phase of growth for Polaris Bank and to have been able to recruit such an experienced and GLYHUVH ERDUG RI GLUHFWRUV ZH DUH FRQÀGHQW FDQ lead Polaris Bank into a new era of sustainable JURZWK 7KLV LV DQ H[FLWLQJ WLPH IRU WKH 1LJHULDQ ÀQDQFLDO VHUYLFHV LQGXVWU\ DQG ZH DUH FRPPLWted to building on the strong foundations that have been established by the departing board.

We would like to express our thanks for their service and wish them well.

Analysts believed that another decision that is going to work in favour of the new owners was the retention of the chairman of the bank, M K Ahmad.

Watchers of the unfolding development said it makes sense to retain Ahmad who had supervised the revamping of the bank since DIWHU WKH WUDQVLWLRQ IURP 6N\H %DQN 3OF to Polaris Bank.

Speaking on the change of ownership, Ahmad said: “I am personally proud to have been asked to lead the bank into an exciting new future and I look forward to working with the new board and our core investors to build on the platform we have created. We have mandated the incoming management to develop an innovative, but sustainable growth strategy that prioritises the needs DQG DVSLUDWLRQV RI RXU FXUUHQW FXVWRPHUV µ Other board members include Abubakar Danlami Suleiman, non-executive director, Salma Mohammed, non-executive director, Adeleke Alex Adedipe, non-executive director, Ahmed Almustapha, non-executive director, owners to reposition the bank without delay, Francesco Cuzzocrea, non-executive director, Sonola who resumed duty last Monday did Olabisi Olubunmi Odunowo, non-executive QRW PLQFH ZRUGV ZKHQ KH FRQYH\HG KLV ÀUVW director, Abdullahi S Mohammed, executive PHHWLQJV ZLWK WKH VWDͿ RI WKH EDQN LQ YDULRXV director, and Segun Opeke, executive director. locations in Lagos.

Kudos to CBN THISDAY gathered that the meetings took Commendations have been pouring in for SODFH DW WKH EDQN·V KHDG R΀FH RQ $NLQ $GHVROD Victoria Island area of Lagos and at its head- WKH &%1 IRU WKH VXFFHVVIXO KDQGOLQJ RI WKH TXDUWHUV DQQH[H R΀FHV LQ $GHROD +RSHZHOO sale of Polaris Bank even as watchers of the Churchgate andAlausa areas of Lagos, between development believe that the clean bill of 0RQGD\ DQG 7XHVGD\ ZKHUH PHPEHUV RI VWDͿ KHDOWK JLYHQ E\ WKH 1DWLRQDO $VVHPEO\ RQ WKH had the opportunity to meet with the new helms- transaction is going to be another boost to the PDQ DQG KLV WHDP IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH 7KH\ DOVR operation of the new board and management JRW WKH FKDQFH WR RͿHU VXJJHVWLRQV RQ KRZ WR of the bank.

According to the chairperson of the House achieve the goals set by the current management of Representatives, Ad Hoc Committee was of the bank.

A source disclosed that the new manage- set up to investigate the sale of the bank, Hon. ment has also reached out to key customers +HQU\ 1ZDZXED WKHUH ZDV HYLGHQFH RI and contractors of the bank on the readiness substantial compliance with the process. +H VDLG WKDW RXW RI WKH FRPSDQLHV LQYLWHG of the new management to add value to the to bid for the bank, the regulatory agency bank’s operations and performance.

The source, who dismissed any fear of job VKRUWOLVWHG WKH ELGGHUV WR DQG ODWHU VHYHQ rationalisation by the new owners of the bank, and afterwards got presidential approval to said the new management has promised to proceed with the sale of the bank. recruit more capable hands to join the existing Good Omen for Nigerian Banking Industry workforce to make Polaris competitive in the One of the industry analysts who commended HPHUJLQJ EDQNLQJ ODQGVFDSH LQ 1LJHULD the management of the bank for leading a successful transition while urging the core investors Free from Multiple Supervision Analysts think that the sale of the bank to SCIL 6&,/ WR WDNH WKH ÀQDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQ WR WKH QH[W will free Polaris from the burden of multiple level was an ARISE TV analyst, Chika Mbonu.

He recalled that there was quite a protest supervision which used to be a problem before the latest arrangement. This is because, as a over a rumour that the bank was sold for a bridge bank, the former board and management paltry amount.

However, he believed the Polaris sale is a better of the bank were under the watchful eyes of the &%1 $0&21 DQG 1',& WKH WKUHH LQVWLWXWLRQV GHDO WKDQ RWKHU SURMHFWV KDQGOHG E\ $0&21 DQG 1',& which use to intervene from time to time.

“We commend those who looked after the However, now that it has been taken over by D SULYDWH ÀUP LQGXVWU\ DQDO\VWV VDLG WKH FRDVW bank in the transitionary period, they turnaround is clear to take decisions with the spontaneity WKH EDQN WR SURÀWDELOLW\ VWDELOLVHG LW DQG HYHQ moved into the value chain of digital banking, demanded by modern banking practice.

Setting the agenda for the bank, the new we see their advert regularly on our network; chief executive promised to take the bank to we commend the management and hope the the next phase of sustainable growth. Speaking core investors will come in and take the bank on behalf of SCIL, the new core investor, Sonola WR WKH QH[W OHYHO µ KH VWDWHG

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

19

INDUSTRY

As MegaMillions Naija Expands Frontier of Lottery Jackpots in Nigeria The recent entry of MegaMillions Naija Lotteries into the Nigerian lottery market promises to deliver entertainment and provide inclusiveness for the country’s lottery players and enthusiasts to benefit from the real big international lottery jackpots, writes Festus Akanbi

S

ome years back, operators of gambling and lottery businesses in Nigeria had to struggle for recognition amid the pervading belief and narratives that lottery and gambling breed indolence and a life of uncertainty.

However, as information technology sweeps over the global economic landscape, and with the Nigerian current economic challenges forcing people out of their comfort zones, both the government and the people of Nigeria have come to appreciate the lottery business not only as a means of employment and income generation for its promoters but also as a veritable revenue source to the federal and state governments.

According to reports, there are at least 24 lottery operators in the business said to be worth $70 billion in Nigeria. It’s a revenue earner and one of the low-hanging fruits for the federal government and state governments. Given the fact that most of the lottery businesses have Lagos as their base, the state government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring making the sector is a tax earner.

Today, the lottery is gaining ground at a dizzying speed as virtually all the nooks and crannies of big cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, and Kano are littered with DOO NLQGV RI DGYHUWV DQG R΀FHV RI ORWWHU\ promoters.

Speaking on the growing popularity of lottery among Nigerians, Chief Operating 2΀FHU RI 0HJD0LOOLRQV 1DLMD /RWWHULHV Victor Nwaobia said things are changing for the better in the Nigerian environment now as the improvement in telecom services is expanding the frontiers of the lottery business.

According to him, “Before the advent of the internet, Nigerians would travel Nwaobia to Europe, Australia, the United States, and Canada to participate in international in Nigeria. Someone’s life will lotteries because they were required to be change with as little as N100 play physically residents of or travel to the home in the group ticket. That will be a countries of these lotteries to participate life-changing story we are eager to and play in their currency.” share with Nigerians,” he stated.

He said rather than folding their arms One of the challenges facing the and resigning to fate, Nigerian businesslottery business in Nigeria, no men decided to use the Internet advantage doubt, is the activity of unregisto join the global market and provided the tered companies most of which needed platform for Nigerians seeking to have been scamming innocent participate in the game.

Nigerians.

Giving a hint about the formation of )RU LQVWDQFH LQ WKH ODWHVW DW0HJD0LOOLRQV 1DLMD /RWWHULHV 1ZDRELD tempt to end fraud-related tax in said, “We saw this as a challenge to Nigethe lottery and betting industry in rians’ winning these large lottery jackpots 1LJHULD WKH (FRQRPLF DQG )LQDQand decided to do something about it.

FLDO &ULPHV &RPPLVVLRQ ()&& True to our indomitable Nigerian spirit, has uncovered the identity of 35 our drive and determination resulted lottery business operators who do LQ WKH ELUWK RI WKH 0HJD0LOOLRQV 1DLMD not have core licences or permits Lotteries, which has partnerships with to operate. over 20 international lotteries across the According to a notice on its webworld. These lotteries on our platform site, the anti-fraud agency said the can be accessed and played with our local 35 illegal companies’ names were currency, the Naira.” unravelled during an investigation He explained that International Gaming that was carried out on the operaand Entertainment Limited, the registered tions of lottery companies in the RZQHU RI 0HJDPLOOLRQV 1DLMD /RWWHULHV ZDV country, supported by a document established to deliver entertainment and from the National Lottery Regulaprovide inclusiveness for Nigerian lottery WRU\ &RPPLVVLRQ 1/5& EDVHG SOD\HUV DQG HQWKXVLDVWV WR EHQHÀW IURP RQ D UHTXHVW IURP WKH ()&& the real BIG international lottery jackpots.

However, Nwaobia said his comHe pointed out that a lot has changed pany stands out with its approach in the Nigerian lottery landscape as it WR EXVLQHVV 7KH ÀUVW GLͿHUHQFH continues to expand and that many people according to him, is in the value DUH EHQHÀWLQJ IURP LW ´)RU H[DPSOH WKH of the possible jackpot win. lowest jackpot on our platform is currently “Having the least jackpot win worth nothing less than N30 million, with of N30 million sets us apart from some jackpot prices as high as over N200 other forms of local lotteries and billion. You can imagine the earth-moving gaming available in Nigeria. When impact a win of such a jackpot will have you further see jackpots worth over

N200 billion, you’d agree that there is really no comparison to what all the sports betting, and local lotteries can FXUUHQWO\ RͿHU “Secondly, no skill set or knowledge of the game is required for you to play the lotteries on our platform. All you need to do is pick a set of numbers from a group and play them. You can also let the system pick the numbers for you.

This is far more straightforward and less complicated than the knowledge of games or the skill required to make an informed odds decision in sports betting.

“Another thing is that, unlike sports betting, where you have to wait for the sports season to be able to bet or win something, you can play and win every day of the year on our platform. As soon as someone wins a jackpot, it automatically resets to a standard amount that FRQWLQXHV WR JURZ WLOO WKH QH[W GUDZ )RU example, when someone wins the US Powerball jackpot, it rolls back to N8.3 billion, which continues to grow till the next draw winner is announced. ´7KH ODVW WKLQJ WKDW GLͿHUHQWLDWHV XV from others is that we are, the only lottery platform that wants you to win,” he explained.

2Q ZKDW VWDQGV WKH 0HJD0LOOLRQV 1DLMD Lotteries out in the lottery market, he explained that one of the decisions of the owners of the company was to consider every segment of the people.

He said: “We created a business model that allows every segment of Nigerians, above the age of 18 years to participate.

3OD\HUV ZKR FDQQRW DͿRUG WKH IXOO WLFNHW SULFH RI GLͿHUHQW ORWWHULHV ZKLFK UDQJHV

from N1,200 to N4,000 can participate in Group Games for as little as N100 per share of a ticket. If the ticket wins the jackpot or any other category of winnings, those who purchased part shares of that ticket will share the reward.

“It makes participation in these internaWLRQDO ORWWHULHV DͿRUGDEOH IRU DOO VHJPHQWV RI society. You can win life-changing jackpots and prize money with as little as N100.”

One of the misgivings expressed by critics of the lottery and gaming business is the fear that promoters of the business may tamper with the winnings.

Nwaobia however pointed out that technology has taken care of this fear.

He said, “technology is the backbone of our company.

The system creates your ticket instantly after you register and choose your numbers.

Draws take place on various days, depending on which lottery you choose. Let’s say \RX ERXJKW D 8 6 0HJDPLOOLRQV WLFNHW IRU WKH )ULGD\ GUDZLQJ )LYH ZKLWH EDOOV are drawn from a set of balls numbered 1 WKURXJK RQH JROG 0HJD %DOO LV GUDZQ from a set of balls numbered 1 through 25. If your selected numbers match these QXPEHUV LW ZLOO UHÁHFW LQ \RXU DFFRXQW that you have won the jackpot, and an e-mail will be sent to you immediately.”

As a demonstration of its collaboration ZLWK WKH ZRUOG·V EHVW 0HJDPLOOLRQV LV VDLG to have over 20 lotteries on its platform DFURVV WKH ZRUOG OLNH WKH 86 0HJDPLOOLRQV US Powerball, Euromillions, Eurojackpot, La Primitiva, El Gordo, Bonoloto, SuperEnaloto, Australian Powerball, Oz Lotto, Au Saturday & Wednesday, Lotto649, with a lot more being signed up.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

20

AGRICULTURE

Nasarawa: The Making of Agricultural Hub Igbawase Ukumba writes that the recent inauguration of the Pandagric Novum in Nasarawa State, with an investment of over N10 billion, coupled with its position as one of the top poultry feed producers in Nigeria, under the watch of Governor Abdullahi Sule, is shaping the country’s agricultural future

T

he 1,200 hectares Pandagric Novum Farm, located in the Panda Development Area of Nasarawa State aimed at making Nasarawa State become a hub for agriculture business is what Nigeria needs to boost her drive for investment and employment generation for the people.

Recently inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the company of Governor Abdullahi Sule, the project has no doubt added to one of the achievements Governor 6XOH ZKR VLQFH KLV DVVXPSWLRQ RI R΀FH OHVV than four years ago, has triggered the state to enter into not less than 13 Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangements, and as well implemented about eight business environment initiatives.

The state, therefore, welcomed a plethora of investments, especially in the agricultural sector of the economy. For instance, Flour Mills of Nigeria has signed an agreement for the development of 20,000 hectares of sugarcane plantation and sugar industrial estate in Nasarawa around the Toto Local Government Area. That has an investment initially put at a minimum of $300 million.

In the same vein, the state also has the SURVSHFWV RI GLͿHUHQW LQYHVWRUV FRPLQJ WR invest generally in the agriculture sector ranging from rice production to sugar and cassava production among others. It was these developments in the state around the agricultural sector that birthed the Pandagric Novum Farm at Panda.

In May 2018, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Signature Agri Investments executed a Joint Venture agreement to establish an agriculturefocused fund for the development of largescale integrated projects across Nigeria.

Therefore, Pandagric Novum became the ÁDJVKLS SURMHFW XQGHU WKDW MRLQW YHQWXUH and has been developed as a platform for GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQ DQG D SDWK WR HQKDQFLQJ Nigeria’s protein consumption per capita.

9RWH RI &RQÀGHQFH :KLOH LQDXJXUDWLQJ WKH 1$6,$ ÁDJVKLS project at Panda, Vice President Osinbajo poured eulogies on Governor Sule for the visionary zeal he had deployed in three and half years of his administration, and in making Nasarawa State the number one agriculture investment hub in the country.

“I think the completion of this project is a tribute to his (Governor Sule’s) commitment to making this state a notable state for agriculture. We were here a few months ago for the Nasarawa Investment Summit and so many commitments that were made then were made on the account of the fact that many notable investors feel comfortable working in the state.

“It is clear that your support for this project is fundamental not just for completing it, but also in all that we are hearing today about the great potential for other investments,” he said.

Vice President Osinbajo, who was a special guest of honour at the event, noted with optimism that the inauguration of the Pandagric Novum project was a foretaste of many possibilities and opportunities for investments in agriculture and other sectors in the country. He consequently called for more private sector investments in the agriculture sector, assuring that the federal government would continue to create the enabling environment to encourage more private sector investments in the agriculture sector.

The NSIA’s massive investment in the agriculture value chain in the country spanning over 10 years was lauded by the vice president, hence reiterating the passion with which President Muhammadu Buhari believes in the role of agriculture

L-R: Governor Sule and Vice-president Osibanjo at the inauguration of the Pandagric Novum project…recently

as a key driver of job creation and economic growth of the country.

“President Buhari passionately believes in the role of agriculture as a key driver of job creation and economic growth of Nigeria. The NSIA has over the last 10 years LQYHVWHG LQ GLͿHUHQW VXEVHFWRUV of the agricultural value chain. In 2014, we know the Fund for Agricultural Finance was established by the NSIA in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“In 2016, President Buhari set up the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative to address the problem of cost and availability of fertiliser. NSIA was enlisted by His Excellency as the project implementing entity,” the vice president reminded.

It will be noted that Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration has established the Nasarawa State Infrastructure Fund (NSIF) not only to build savings for the state but also to de-risk private sector investment infrastructure by bringing some level of comfort to investors coming into Nasarawa State.

key pillars of the industrial revolution being undertaken by his administration.

“Indeed, our state is fast becoming a home for agribusiness and playing host to several key agricultural ventures that continue to boost economic activities in our state. Agriculture is critical to achieving the aspirations of my administration. The competitiveness of Nasarawa is also tied to the agricultural sector given its huge arable land mass, available cheap labour, as well as a high proportion of smallholder farmers that can easily be activated to scale up connectivity to key states in the North Central Zone, especially the FCT.” The Nasarawa governor, therefore, expressed appreciation that Pandagric Novum, with the National Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) as the core Investor, has acquired about 3,500 hectares of land for maize and soybeans farming in Panda. Even though Nasarawa State was yet to be considered as one of the top ten states when it comes to maize production in Nigeria, however, Governor Sule pointed out that with the investment

by Pandagric Novum, the state can now claim to be one of the top states in maize production in the country.

&DULQJ IRU 6PDOOKROGHU )DUPHUV He particularly appreciated that PanStimulating Nasarawa’s dagric Novum was not only targeting to Economy harvest 10 tonnes of maize per hectare in His administration has been delib- line with international standards but that erate about stimulating the economy WKH FRPSDQ\ DͿRUGHG ORFDO VPDOOKROGHU of the state, building people’s hu- IDUPHUV WR SURGXFH DERXW ÀYH WRQQHV SHU man capacities and creating wealth hectare, instead of the 1.5 tonnes they and jobs for the people. Instituting usually harvest. a range of reforms as a commitment “The biggest for us is the area of trainto ensuring sustainable growth and ing that you (Pandagric Novum) have development. continued to train our local people. Today, Speaking at the inauguration they are also becoming farmers not only of the Pandagric Novum proj- in the area of cultivation but also in the ect, the governor reiterated his area of agriculture revolution,” Governor administration’s keen interest in Sule maintained. promoting agriculture, considering For the immediate past Managing its immense economic impact. He 'LUHFWRU &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI WKH LGHQWLÀHG DJULFXOWXUH DV WKH WRS WZR Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority

(NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji, Nasarawa State was the best-kept secret in agriculture.

Orji pointed out that Nigeria’s agricultural sector has largely been dominated by subsistence farmers and farming over the years, hence NSIA strongly believed that with improved modern methods, seedlings and better weather forecasting methods, agricultural yields could continue to grow.

“The NSIA as an investment institution of the federal government has a mission to play a leading role in driving sustained HFRQRPLF GHYHORSPHQW IRU WKH EHQHÀW RI all Nigerians. The agency aims to develop the Nigerian agriculture sector enough to ensure increased production towards the satisfaction of local demand, as well as the development of requisite infrastructure to ensure improved product quality, facilitate import substitution and provide a driver of foreign exchange earnings from the exportation of agriculture produce,” Orji stated.

The Nigerian agricultural sector is set for a boost to become a major global player in food production, processing, packaging and export as an agricultural giant.

Pandagric Novum planned to upscale and make Nigeria a net exporter of maize with state-of-the-art technology and techniques, Managing Director of the Pandagric Novum, Bruce Spain, made the revelation at a media chart to herald the inauguration of the Pandagric Novum project.

Spain, who was optimistic about the capacity of his company to galvanise Nigeria’s agricultural sector, explained that 3DQGDJULF 1RYXP ZDV SRLVHG WR UHGHÀQH the future of agriculture in Nigeria through its innovative farming practices that have been developed to guarantee increased \LHOGV DQG IRRG VX΀FLHQF\ He said: “As a company, we have developed crop cultivation and management protocols for achieving the highest yields.

We have invested heavily in testing and trials over the years and have discovered improved crop nutrition practices to get the best growth and yield results.

21

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 26Oct-2022, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.16% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.52 3.58 3.22% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.49% Anchoria Equity Fund 135.34 136.83 -2.81% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.16 1.16 1.01% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 480.88 495.38 6.59% ARM Ethical Fund 41.10 42.34 5.50% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 0.83% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 4.88% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.24% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.10 2.10 2.09% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.23 2.27 2.18% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 6.92% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.88% Paramount Equity Fund 17.43 17.74 4.42% Women's Investment Fund 142.81 144.48 0.59% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.28% Cordros Milestone Fund 129.56 130.42 4.19% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 111.82 111.82 5.03% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 10.02% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.01% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,135.88 1,144.75 1.66% EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1521.56 1521.56 11.36% FBN Balanced Fund 190.38 191.62 8.63% FBN Halal Fund 124.97 124.97 11.48% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.15% FBN Dollar Fund 126.97 126.97 6.44% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 153.74 155.80 2.79% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.08% Legacy Debt Fund 3.59 3.59 -10.34% Legacy Equity Fund 1.81 1.84 3.91% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.25 1.25 3.61% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

FSDH Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.58% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.89 2.94 4.15% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 6.00% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 143.77 143.77 6.53% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.16 1.19 -2.42% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.07 1.07 4.30% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.63 1.66 15.05% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,161.68 1,161.68 7.72% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.60 11.67 6.79% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.27% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 100.82 100.82 8.67% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 10.86% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.60 1.64 1.79% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.47 11.53 2.76% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.43% PACAM Equity Fund 1.32 1.34 -7.02% PACAM EuroBond Fund 117.34 120.38 3.11% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 121.53 123.97 0.05% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 10.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,461.12 3,494.19 2.18% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 243.25 243.25 3.26% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.34 1.36 7.14% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 328.15 328.16 4.80% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 250.11 253.46 7.15% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.93% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,516.31 11,671.66 5.55% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.35 1.35 4.39% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 120.17 120.17 2.79% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 113.47 113.47 6.67% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.90 0.92 1.57% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.32 1.33 1.12% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.14 1.15 10.19% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.09 1.09 7.22% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.93 1.93 6.30% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.16 124.16 5.84% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.60% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund N/A N/A N/A Zenith ESG Impact Fund N/A N/A N/A Zenith Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Zenith Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.70 3.80 -7.72% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.63 5.73 -3.67% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 16.43 16.63 -7.03% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.60% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.74 19.94 -1.19% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 134.60 136.60 -14.59%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

119.29 52.14

5.27% 2.50%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.38 120.26 91.83 17.10 16.40

14.48 123.29 93.84 17.20 16.50

2.78% -5.40% -7.95% 7.99% -3.52%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.59

0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

22

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 30, 2022

SOFT FINANCE with AYO AROWOLO The only column you may need to read on everything personal finance, money, investing -and other life matters

EMAIL: AYO.AROWOLO@THISDAYLIVE.COM PHONE: 08086447494( SMS ONLY)

Hard or Soft Finance: What Does it Matter?

S

hortly after I had scanned the concept, SOFT FINANCE, to the designer working with me to come up with design options, he sent back a WhatsApp note to me asking me to explain what I meant by soft finance. He needed this to come up with a fitting design. I tried some explanations, which appeared to be okay with him. Then three days after, he forwarded to me the three options he had generated, and promptly I shared the designs with six persons who I felt could assist in working with me to arrive at the best option.

Surprisingly one of the reviewers, a lady, also sent a WhatsApp message to me asking the same question: What is soft finance? Why soft finance? As I was preparing to offer what I considered the best explanations to her, it just occurred to me that she might not be the only person interested in knowing what soft finance is. I had to think deeply and ask myself the question: how did I even come about soft finance ? It is not my coinage, by the way; it has been in use for years. And then I remembered that everything flew from my experience when I had just been hired as a reporter by African Concord Magazine , edited then by our very own Mr Bayo Onanuga, currently the director of the media campaign team of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It was a very interesting experience I cannot forget in a hurry. I had studied political science at the University of Ife (now OAU), and I had gotten so involved in social activism that I saw myself becoming either an activist or a lecturer. I had got fascinated with the great books we were exposed to, like How Europe Underdeveloped Africa; the all the Marxist books. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, now Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was my roommate, and he had succeeded in luring me to what was called ALPS, then an association of students who believed in the Marxist theory of socialism. We were always meeting in the night, arguing about socialism and other Marxist stuff.

Kehinde Bamigbetan and Seye Kehinde were also comrades. So I saw myself becoming an activist.

But a few dramatic things happened in my final year at the university that altered the direction of my academics and career. To cut the story short, I found myself in the journalism and starting in the proofreading department of Concord Newspaper, the media house owned by the late flamboyant billionaire MKO Abiola. I quickly adjusted my dream to a career in journalism. A year after graduating from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, where I got the Director’s Prize for the overall best student, I was recruited by Mr Onanuga into the African Concord. Then the next question was which desk I would fit into. I had mentally picked the politics desk, naturally. But Mr Onanuga instead instructed that I should resume on the business desk as the correspondent there was on leave.

I was confused. I hated anything numbers or statistics with passion right from secondary school. In fact, I was always at loggerheads with our mathematics teacher then, one guy called Sylvedra , a Srilankan.

And at the university, one lecturer, Dr Kale Feyisetan, that was taking a course called Mathematics for Social Science Students, was everybody’s enemy.

We hated his course, compounded even by his style of teaching. Many were casualties of his course on a yearly basis. Anyway, I passed it sha. But here I am, confronted with another ordeal. I protested, suggesting he should post me to their political desk.

He made me understand that the only place he could place me was the business desk, especially since the guy covering the business desk was on leave. I had to accept his offer but with a lot of trepidation.

I was truly scared. To compound the matter, the first assignment he gave me was to cover the stock market at the Nigerian Stock Exchange. When I got to the floor of the exchange the following day, I was completely lost as the stockbrokers were shouting at the top of their voices, “offering and bidding”(it was one of the features of the regime they normally referred as the call-over session) , a language that was completely strange to me. It was a Monday, and I needed to file my report on Wednesday. I figured a disaster was lurking since I did not understand what took place on the exchange, talkless of filling a story. Eventually, I devised an agenda. I walked up to a stockbroker by the name of Dele Lateef. He was working with Marriot Securities, owned by Senator Dele Bajomo, at that time. I explained my dilemma to him, and good enough, he responded positively, and he asked me to follow him to his office, where he explained everything in the daily official list to me. We became friends, and I became a regular visitor to his office.

Eventually, I filled a story. Even though it was not used, my editor saw potential in me and asked me to repeat my visits to the exchange. He did more than that: he handed me over to a guy called

Tunde Olugboji, the magazine’s copy editor, a dammed good guy when it comes to cleaning up copies. We became friends. With the encouragement I received from the editor and friendliness of the copy editor, I decided to give it all it would take. My first story was eventually published after about four months of amateur reporting. Eventually, I also got another person, Ariyo Olusekun, an investment banker with the defunct Center Point Merchant Bank, who actually suggested I visit his house on weekends for explanations. Then there was this senior colleague of mine, Ayo Aluko-Olokun, whose style of explaining financial terms creatively caught my attention. At that point, there was no going back. I started to buy and read financial newspapers. I also subscribed to a journal called Arbitrage Stock Guide, published by Dr Olasenni Akintola-Bello, a former commissioner for Finance in Ogun State, introduced to me by his brother, Mr Tunji Bello, Lagos state commissioner for Environment who was a great political journalist at the concord then.

I put everything into learning about financial terms and numbers, which later won me a sponsored programme to the United States of America by the US government.

Three years later, I also won a Reuters Award, which took me to their office in London, where we were exposed to deep training for three weeks on how to simplify financial reporting. Shortly after I returned from the trip, I joined Financial Standard as the founding CEO, where one of the things that distinguished us was simplifying financial information and numbers. Joseph Ode, an economist, was the editor, and Simon Kolawole, the publisher of the Cable, who was a graduate of mass communication, was his deputy. We worked together to ensure a culture

And this one is a very scary one. We are busy focusing on the supposed loans accumulated by the FG. Nobody is focusing on what is happening at the state level. When you look at the exposures by the states, you will weep for the country

of always asking questions. That was ingrained in every reporter we recruited. So that was how I came about the habit of always looking for the soft side of the hard financial stuff I was being asked to report.

I always asked my self: how can I soften this stuff so that ordinary folks like me can understand it? It became an obsession to look for the soft side of every financial information I came across.

BACK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION So, what is soft finance? I have always hated anything hard about finance. We were taught in the Reuters office in London always to ask questions that matter on any financial information. When you ask such questions, you will find answers that lurk underneath the surface.

For instance, most times, government officials push out impressive numbers to show us how they have performed. You hear something like, GDP grew by 10 per cent, inflation moved by 10 percentage points, and forex reserves increased to a certain amount. What do these numbers and terms mean?

Late Akintunde Asalu, former President of the Nigerian Shareholders Association, was one of my great sources when it came to reporting the stock market. I was always at his James Robertson Street in Surulere, Lagos or his house in Bolade, Oshodi. He shared with me an interesting method for analysing companies. He called it soft screening. He taught me not to look much at the annual report of a company if I truly wanted to know their performance. He asked me to look for soft indicators like going to the reception of the company to listen to what the staff and visitors are saying and what they write in their in-house newsletters. There was a time a popular CEO of a manufacturing company started to appear in major newspapers granting interviews. Asalu asked me to spend some days at the reception of the company and listen to what the staff were saying. I got tonnes of useful information about the company, which I weaved into my story, ignoring the glowing report dished out by the managing director. The company folded up eventually and has remained closed. Another MD called a press conference at Sheraton Hotel and mesmerised reporters with great numbers. A week before the event, I had gone in search of my own soft indicators. After all the questions had been asked and answered, I raised my hands and asked to be given permission to ask a set of questions. The whole hall was quiet. The company had given the impression that the profit jumped by so much within a year. I

had read the notes to the account and sat down with Asalu, who gave me a hint that what made the profit jump was that the company leased part of its building to a bank that fetched handsome cash, but it was not made from their normal operations.

By the time we did another ratio analysis, we had discovered the company was indeed in deep trouble.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) was almost disrupted.

SO WHAT IS SOFT FINANCE? Literally, it means we shall be softening financial information. When the government rolls out budget figures, we will not be moved. We shall ask the question, so what? How does it affect my family?

The chop money I give to my wife monthly; will it increase? How will it affect my children’s school fees?

The other time, a colleague at THISDAY, Olusegun Adeniyi, a great columnist, wrote a powerful article pointing out the red flags in the 2023 budget. I made a short reply to his article, and it explains the kind of things we shall be looking at regularly in this column. I reproduce an abridged and updated version below: 1. First, you assumed in your analysis that we have been operating budgets in Nigeria. A budget is meant to be an instrument of control; not one single year has Nigeria’s budgetary system fulfilled that role. It is shameful that the National Assembly, the executive and the budget office have continued to amuse everyone that they have been running budgets. Nothing of such has ever happened for the past several years. If you reduce your analysis to a personal finance process at home, when you budget, you are simply telling yourself a few things: a. These are the things I want to make happen within this period of time. b. This is the estimated cost of making those things happen. c. These are the sources of income for financing such expenses. And if you have financial intelligence, you will also include these: d. Of my total expenditure, so much is allocated to expenditure that will bring more income into my wallet as time goes on. These are other expenses that, if properly executed, may not necessarily generate cash, but they will provide the enabling environment for making the above happen.

Read the full article at https://www.thisdaylive.com

BINOCULARS

Is Governor Ben Ayade in the Wrong Career?

I

f you asked for my opinion, I would like to suggest that the executive governor of Cross River State is probably in the wrong career. I am persuaded that if he had sought appropriate guidance and counselling, he might have been advised to pick a career in the drama area or, better still, set up a shop as a comedian. He would have probably made a good outing working with AY or even joined forces with our able Senator Dino Melaye to be producing comedy skits.

Take a look at the nomenclature of his annual budget, which someone rightly observed has

Ayade

been reduced to an annual comic spectacle.

Just take a look: 2016: Budget of Deep Vision 2017: Budget of Infinite Transposition 2018: Budget of Kinetic Crystallization 2019: Budget of Qabalistic Densification 2020; Budget of Olympotic Meristematic 2021: Budget of Blush And Blish 2022: Budget of Quantum Infinitum I beg, what questions do the state assembly people ask him during his comic budget presentation? Tragedy-comedy.

ME AND MY MONEY YEMISI SHYLLON:

Don’t Use All Your Hands to Eat

I

have always lived by the principle: “don’t use all your hands to eat”, and it has always saved me from financial stress. Many people make this mistake. When they get a raise in the office, they immediately adjust their tastes. You see, a worker staying in a one-room apartment suddenly decides it is time to move to a highbrow area.

That is a display of financial foolishness.

Remember, there will be times when what you have may not be available again, and

you will have to rely on what you have put together. When I was working, I had a policy that 10 per cent of my money every month must go into investment.

I am talking about liquid investment, and another 10 per cent would go into non-liquid investment. The remaining 80 per cent we used to take care of myself and my family. When you spend all the money you get, you have eaten both the seed and the harvest. You have sown a seed of disaster into your future.

Shyllon

OPI NION

123

T H I S D AY MONDAYSunday MARCH 2022 2022 23 14, October, Vol 27. No 10064

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

THE STARTUP ACT: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR TECH BUSINESS The act is a catalyst for the development of the tech sector in Nigeria, writes AISHA SHUAIBU

Building peace requires the prioritisation of justice and equity in the polity, writes Wealth DICKSON OMINABO

BUILDING PEACE THROUGH JUSTICE AND EQUITY

T See Page 24

FOR TUNDE MARK, IT’S DEATH SO CRUEL

PAUL MUMEH pays tribute to Tunde Mark, a man of uncommon humility

See Page 24

EDITORIAL A FEDERAL CAPITAL UNDER SIEGE

See Page 49

he search for peace has been one of humans’ greatest quests in the twentyfirst century. The pursuit has seen different stakeholders launch initiatives to promote peace and guarantee a global order where justice, hope, and harmony reign. Peace is a precursor to development, a vital ingredient required for nation-building.

Peace is becoming elusive worldwide as more wars and conflicts have emerged in different nations. In Africa, Ethiopia’s civil war has continued to threaten the fate of millions.

It has plundered the future of many citizens as thousands continue to suffer from the horror of starvation, displacement, and death. Outside Africa, the Russia - Ukraine war has continued to dominate global headlines. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and imposed unquantifiable damage to the global order, resulting in an energy and food crisis.

The 2022 Global Peace Index (GPI) shows a deterioration in global peacefulness. According to the report, the most significant decline occurred in “political instability, political terror scale, neighbouring country relations and refugees and IDPs indicators in 2022 relative to the previous year.” These indicators, the report indicates, reached their worst levels since the inception of the GPI in 2008.

The pursuit of peace is the basis for the establishment of many multilateral organizations. The establishment of the United Nations in 1945, for example, was borne out of the necessity to halt the trend of wars and conflicts that will subject humans to horror, as witnessed during the Second World War. Since the establishment of the United Nations, many multilateral institutions have emerged, with mandates to pursue peace and help in security, most notably human security. The UN, on its own, has not relented in its advocacy for peace; it has intensified campaigns on different peace initiatives and launched development policies and programmes that will help address the deficit of peace and security in our world. The observance of international days is one area the UN has used to promote its virtues and ideas.

September 21 is dedicated as an International Day of Peace. The idea was conceived in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly to help raise awareness and campaign on the ideals of peace by observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

This year, the celebration is framed along the lines of racism and the challenges of peace, with the theme: “End Racism, Build Peace.”

The International peace day this year serves as a wake-up call to global leaders and policymakers to rise to the challenge of racism.

Racism is becoming endemic across the world. It is perpetuated in different nations under various guises. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the sad reality that racism is still a significant global issue. George Floyd’s death led to a renewed movement for equity. The black lives matter campaign was a reminder to the world that racism exists, and it is aided by institutions that should ordinarily protect the

rights of citizens and prosecute hate crimes. The black lives matter was not just a catchphrase for a campaign against the death of a black US citizen but a movement that echoed the urgency for institutional reforms and the need for greater commitment to equity and justice by all leaders.

Across the world, there are deep structural perpetuation and the manifestation of racism by state and non-state actors. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the institutional gaps and the hypocrisy of many nations in the discourse of racism, as Africans were exposed to varying degrees of racism, from vaccine apartheid and other discriminatory COVID protocols.

Worrying as it seems, racism still exists in many countries; it is manifested under different guises and frames as xenophobia, antiSemitism, religious and cultural bigotry, and supremacism. Sometimes, it is state-sanctioned

Building peace goes beyond advocacy; it calls for deliberate action and purposeful statecraft that guarantees equity, and institutionalises justice in the levers of governance

and enforced through laws and government instruments. Racism, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination are atavistic cultures that should have no place in modern societies, as they bifurcate the world, reinforce disunity, and entrench a culture of hate and hostility in any environment.

The menace of racism, as aptly stated by Antonio Guterres, “robs people of their rights and dignity. It inflames inequalities and mistrust.

And it pushes people apart, at a time when we should be coming together, as one human family, to repair our fractured world.”

In Nigeria, many cultural practices typify racism, cultures that discriminate against some gender and deprive some members of society of accessing some fundamental rights and enjoying certain freedoms. This kind of practice is also reinforced on the political turf. In some states, it is a thing of a miracle for some ethnic groups to occupy certain elective positions, as ethnic groups are always canceled based on mundane prejudice. This trend has impacted Nigeria’s diversity negatively, resulting in mistrust, disunity, and hate in the polity.

Too often, peace is breached and compromised because of the absence of justice and equity in our system. This has been responsible for PDQ\ RI 1LJHULD·V FULVHV UHVXOWLQJ LQ D GHÀFLW of hope, peace, and security. Building peace requires the prioritization of justice and equity in the polity. Building peace goes beyond advocacy; it calls for deliberate action and purposeful statecraft that guarantees equity, and institutionalizes justice in the levers of governance.

Ominabo is the communications Officer at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation

2 24

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 23, 2022

The act is a catalyst for the development of the tech sector in Nigeria, writes AISHA SHUAIBU

THE STARTUP ACT: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR TECH BUSINESS

Technology in Nigeria is a fast-growing industry that has gained momentum in the last few years. Its prospects have led states like Nasarawa and Kaduna to prioritise the creation of technology villages in order to harness the growth potential of their tech sector. International organisations like Google have also had eyes on Nigeria and went ahead to open D 'HYHORSHU·V 6SDFH RIÀFH LQ /DJRV LQ 2020. Even the former CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey visited Nigeria on an African tour in 2019 to engage with stakeholders in the industry and identify areas for collaboration. Africa’s leading tech companies like Flutterwave and 54Gene have set the pace for other Nigerianowned tech start-ups to follow suit and gradually grow from Nigeria to the world.

Despite these encouraging facts, the startup space of the country as a whole is still experiencing major setbacks, as over 60% of start-ups are still failing over the course of a decade. The Nigeria Startup Bill (NSB) was passed by the Nigerian Senate to solve some of these challenges by creating a more conducive environment for tech-based businesses in particular to succeed and on October 19th 2022, the bill was successfully signed into law.

The Startup Act serves as an engine of collaboration between the private sector and the government particularly its regulatory agencies, to ensure that the laws of the country favour the growth of its tech ecosystem. It seems the Nigerian government, with the support RI WKH 2IÀFH RI WKH &KLHI RI 6WDII DQG WKH Ministry of Communications and Digital (FRQRP\ KDYH ÀQDOO\ VHHQ WKH SRWHQWLDO of tech in Nigeria to lead and dominate Africa’s digital economy. President Muhammadu Buhari has declared his full commitment to prioritise the creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian youth. He said, “our young people are our most valuable natural resource, at home and abroad.” This is indeed interesting to hear from the same leader who not long ago was calling the same Nigerian youth ‘lazy’ on center stage. As the Buhari administration comes to an end, one of his many last-minute legacies was the signing of this bill, which will be a catalyst for development in Nigerian tech by ridding start-ups of their problems, particularly ones they face in their early stages i.e. access to funding, unfavourable government policies, high cost of doing business, etc.

The Act will be in servitude to all techenabled start-ups incorporated under the

Companies and Allied Matters Act. To be regarded as a start-up under this Act, there are set criteria to follow, such as having been registered and operational for less than 10 years with an objective to leverage existing innovative technology advances to solve a problem or provide a service.

The Act will provide a start-up portal, offer regulations support, issue start-up labeling, tax breaks and incentives, give access to funding, accelerators and incubators, and offer training and capacity building. The National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship has also been established for the purpose of centralising the regulations of MDAs that will impact the start-ups and create standing orders for its engagements.

The council is made up of the President of the Federation, the Vice President, four ministers, the Central Bank governor, representatives from the Start-up Consultative Forum and the Nigerian Computer Society, and the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Start-up labeling is an important factor of this Act. It is a certification or license showing that a business is tech-enabled, allowing them access to the incentives provided under the Act. The Start-Up and Engagement portal is a housing ground for start-ups to engage directly with relevant MDAs, and benefit from the Act through their services.

Through this platform, start-ups will be able to access their labeling certification, easily engage with all stakeholders from the private and public sectors, access beneficial resources, enter into contracts with the federal government through public procurement, and other benefits. The Start-up Investment Seed Fund, which will be managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, will provide early-stage financing to labelled start-ups, and provide relief to tech labs, accelerators, incubators and hubs. For tax incentives, the Act aims to target labelled start-ups, its employees, its investors, and their external service providers. Up to 5% tax breaks will be accessible to start-ups under the Pioneer Status Incentive Scheme after applying through the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

Employees of labelled start-ups will be entitled to personal income tax exemption of up to 35% for two years. Investors will get an investment tax credit equivalent to 30% of their investment. Foreign service providers will be subjected to 5% withholding tax on the income from their services to labelled start-ups.

As the general elections draw nearer, WKH IXWXUH EHQHÀFLDULHV RI WKH 6WDUWXS Act have been well considered, in hopes the new administration will cooperate in seeing through consistent implementation.

It is understandable that the tech space has been given precedence over other industries, granted the advancements of the global digital economy. However, the National Assembly must in the long run recognise opportunities in the start-ups space other than tech, with the potential to contribute to the economic growth and sustainable development of the country. The creative community as well as the sports industry are instances of what could easily take over being the country’s primary source of revenue generation at scale. With a predominantly youth population of over 200 million people, it is time that we examine more than one way to empower and create channels of success for the country and its people. ·

Shuaibu is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

FOR TUNDE MARK, IT’S DEATH SO CRUEL PAUL MUMEH pays tribute to Tunde Mark, a man of uncommon humility

“... The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes” (Shakespeare Julius Caesar 1599) Arguably, the death of Tunde Mark, son of the 12th President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator David Mark last Friday was akin to more than a thousand that fell down in a pogrom.

Tunde’s demise at this time is cruel, sad, devastating and truly discomforting, not only to the immediate family, but to all within and outside Nigeria who knew him. Mere mortals cannot question the will of God. Truly, like Shakespeare puts it, no matter how much we strive, death is a necessary end that must come when it shall.

For many reasons beyond personal acquaintances, Tunde fondly called ‘Double Chief’ represented hope of a new generation. +H ZDV D ÀQH JHQWOHPDQ ZKR KDG QR HWKQLF or religious boundaries. Humanitarian contributions was his core value.

Born on 13th October, 1971, Tunde attended Yaba Military School, Lagos where he obtained his First School Leaving &HUWLÀFDWH +H ODWHU SURFHHGHG WR %UDGÀHOG College, Berkshire, UK where he attended Secondary School. He obtained a B.Sc degree from Kings College, London. He studied Immunology alongside Biochemistry and later Biological Sciences in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was married and had a daughter.

Tunde all alone is a conglomerate of intelligence. A trained Scientist; Biochemist and Immunologist, he discussed and taught virtually all subjects effortlessly. +H KDG D ÀUP JULS RI ORFDO SROLWLFV DQG arguably an expert in international affairs.

He was a brain box of a sort, a mobile encyclopedia. His accent, diction and mastery of English language was amazing.

Conversation with Tunde was always rewarding. He was an engaging personality.

With him, new ideas and vocabularies were always handy. He was an ideas man.

He had a world view in his palm.

Severally, I tried to convince him to appear on Television and Radio programmes to educate people on burning issues especially on international affairs, but Tunde would shy away on the excuse that his views could be misconstrued as that of his father’s. It was a burden he had to bear in protection of his father’s earned name.

Tunde was a unique and uncommon personality. He never for once displayed DUURJDQFH RU DIÁXHQFH DV WKH VRQ RI D

prominent and wealthy father. He was humble to a fault.

Tunde was a man of vision. He hoped for a new Nigeria where everyone is his brothers’ keeper. Even from his sick bed, he was optimistic that things could turn around for good but death kept calling. +H EDWWOHG WR OLYH EXW *RG KDG WKH ÀQDO VD\ ...And Tunde succumbed to the cold hand of death.

What started like a tooth ache degenerated and metamorphosed into malignancy otherwise called cancer. Even when the ailment worsened Tunde was still KRSHIXO +H ZRXOG EH WKH ÀUVW WR VHQG PH text message asking how we were faring.

He asked me to keep tab with political developments in Nigeria; the basis of our next conversation that was never to be.

Tunde, during this unfortunate ailment was so committed to the things of God. He ZRXOG EH WKH ÀUVW WR VHQG PH LQVSLUDWLRQDO Bible verses assuring me that he would overcome.

After Tunde’s last surgery, he wrote me; “Good morning Paul, I weathered the storm and passed the bridge of torment and I’m now in the midst of battle, all following the Lord’s Pennant, the Cross, to Victory. Amen. Have a blessed sabbath my brother”. And I replied “Fear not. God never fails. Victory is yours my Chief. It’s well with you”.

And in the evening of October 1, 2022, Tunde wrote again, “Hope the Mumehs have had an enjoyable Independence Day so far. Long may the merriment continue, Happy Independence Day and Happy New Month Boss”.

6RPHWLPHV , IHOW ÁDWWHUHG DQG XQHDV\ when Tunde called me boss. Here is a mere staff to his father being called boss by the heir apparent. Though this is strange in our clime, it is the uncommon humility in Tunde. He respected all and never for once lost his sense of humour.

The scripture is right, such good ones like Tunde comes rarely; and once in the life of a people. Though his life was cut short by the debilitating ailment, the brief time he spent on earth was very impactful. We are heartbroken, but consoled that Tunde has gone to be His creator in a better place.

7XQGH OHIW D OHJDF\ RI VHOÁHVVQHVV +H was a man who came ahead of his time.

Adieu Tunde Mumeh writes from Abuja

49

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 23, 2022

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

A FEDERAL CAPITAL UNDER SIEGE Government should collaborate with our international partners to ensure the security and safety of all residents

O

n the surface, life is normal in Nigeria’s home to all foreign embassies and international federal capital city Abuja, and environs. agencies cannot be overemphasised. If, for any reason Vehicles are on the road. Government the city is considered unsafe for diplomats, then the RIÀFHV DQG EDQNV DUH VWLOO RSHQ IRU conclusion would be that Nigeria is not safe. business. Social events are still being Initially, the rising tide of insecurity within the FCT held in many places. And worshippers ZDV FRQÀQHG WR WKH VDWHOOLWH FRPPXQLWLHV ZKLFK DUH are still trooping to churches and mosques. But beneath KRPH WR ORZ LQFRPH HDUQHUV $QJU\ \RXWKV EHUHIW RI all these, there is a sense of fear by residents following opportunities across the country had been moving terror alerts (to their citizens) from the United States LQWR FRPPXQLWLHV OLNH .XMH DQG *ZDJZDODGD %XW embassy and the British High Commission. Further what started with occasional cases of opportunistic warnings from governments of Germany, Bulgaria, criminals robbing unsuspecting passengers inside ,UHODQG DQG 'HQPDUN KDYH RQO\ KHLJKWHQHG DQ[LHW\ 2Q commercial vehicles in those suburbs has since 7KXUVGD\ -DEL /DNH 0DOO HDVLO\ WKH ELJJHVW VKRSSLQJ escalated into the emergence of terror cells. In August FRPSOH[ LQ $EXMD FORVHG LQGHÀQLWHO\ ´LQ WKH LQWHUHVW this year, Captain Attah Samuel and four other soldiers of the safety of staff and ZHUH NLOOHG ZKHQ WHUURULVWV customers” while at the ambushed the Guards ZHHNHQG VRPH LQ ERXQG Brigade of the army during The strategic importance of Abuja not only as the seat of power but also LQWHUQDWLRQDO ÁLJKWV D SDWURO H[HUFLVH ZLWKLQ WKH the home to all foreign embassies and international agencies cannot be witnessed cancellation FCT. A month earlier, there disruptions.

ZDV DQ DWWDFN E\ WKH ,VODPLF overemphasised. If, for any reason the city is considered unsafe for diplomats, We enjoin the federal State West Africa Province JRYHUQPHQW WR WDNH WKH (ISWAP) operatives on then the conclusion would be that Nigeria is not safe situation more seriously .XMH 3ULVRQ LQ $EXMD than dismissing the where hundreds of inmates terror alerts from these (including their detained foreign embassies as mere members) were let loose, scaremongering. To be forewarned as conventional DIWHU NLOOLQJ VHYHUDO SHRSOH wisdom teaches, is to be forearmed. When residents of It is particularly noteworthy that the security alerts the capital city of a country not only move around with from foreign embassies are coming just a month after a sense of foreboding but also feel uncertain about the WKH &KLHI RI 'HIHQFH 6WDII *HQHUDO /XFN\ ,UDERU capacity of the authorities to deal with such challenge, warned that hundreds of terrorists arrested by then there is a problem. Besides, when a country security forces are yet to be investigated, processed or cannot guarantee the security of life and property for brought to trial. It remains curious that there should residents of its federal capital, foreigners have reasons be tardiness in bringing terror subjects to justice. Even to fear. more curious is the fact that high value Nigerian terror Even before these alerts from foreign diplomatic VSRQVRUV WKDW ZHUH LGHQWLÀHG E\ IULHQGO\ FRXQWULHV missions, there was always apprehension about the OLNH WKH 8QLWHG $UDE (PLUDWHV DUH \HW WR EH DUUHVWHG RU security situation in Abuja. In a September 2020 circular prosecuted.

DOHUWLQJ UHVLGHQWV RQ WKH H[LVWHQFH RI WHUURU FHOOV WKH ,W LV LQ WKH QRUPDO H[SHFWDWLRQ RI WKH IHGHUDO 1LJHULD &XVWRPV 6HUYLFH KDG ZULWWHQ ´,QIRUPDWLRQ government to reassure Abuja populace about their reaching the Comptroller General of Customs reveals safety. We cannot also deny the embassies of foreign WKH H[LVWHQFH RI %RNR +DUDP WHUURULVWV LQ DQG DURXQG countries their obligation to warn their nationals living the FCT. Further reports have it that they are planning in Nigeria of situations where their safety may be in WR DWWDFN VRPH VHOHFWHG WDUJHWV ZLWKLQ WKH WHUULWRU\ µ MHRSDUG\ %HWZHHQ WKHVH WZR H[WUHPHV WKH 1LJHULDQ Today in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), armed state has a responsibility to ensure the safety of people robbers operate within the city centre, including in living all over the country. And that obligation must KLJKEURZ DUHDV OLNH 0DLWDPD DQG $VRNRUR DQG WKH\ not be left to conjecture. Collaborating with our KDYH QRZ EHHQ MRLQHG E\ NLGQDSSHUV ZKR DEGXFW international partners to guarantee the security and people in broad daylight. Yet, the strategic importance safety of Abuja residents is the irreducible challenge of Abuja not only as the seat of power but also the of this moment.

Letters to the Editor

Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief(150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer

LETTERS

NIGERIA AND A WAR WITHOUT END

,W LV GLIÀFXOW WR VD\ WKDW 1LJHULD LV winning the war against terror. Every RWKHU GD\ GLVWXUELQJ QHZV EUHDNV RI security breaches by terrorists in one remote part of the country or the other.

A war that has raged for more than a decade is showing no signs of abating as the sides standing across the battle lines are determined to see the end of each other. :KLOH WKH VKDUHG H[SHULHQFH RI PDQ\ rural communities in Nigeria has been RQH PDUNHG E\ UHOHQWOHVV DQG UXWKOHVV DWWDFNV WKRVH ZKR OLYH LQ WKH VR FDOOHG cities have long feared the day when the devastation that terrorism can wrought ZLOO NQRFN RQ WKHLU GRRUVWHSV Gradually, for many of those cities, that day has continued to draw ever closer with Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, recently being in the news for imminent

WHUURULVW DWWDFNV 6RPH FRXQWULHV QRWDEO\ WKH 86 8. DQG &DQDGD UHFHQWO\ ZDUQHG RI LPPLQHQW WHUURU DWWDFNV LQ $EXMD While the federal government has since moved to rebuff the alarms, describing WKHP DV XQYHULÀHG DQG PLVOHDGLQJ WKH countries in question have maintained their cautionary stance. Some of them KDYH HYHQ JRQH WR WKH H[WHQW RI DVNLQJ WKHLU citizens to leave the city and the country.

Yet, many Nigerians within the federal capital territory move about as if nothing is happening. The uncertainty about the security situation within the Federal Capital Territory recalls the devastating events of June 5, 2022 when terrorists VWRUPHG WKH 0HGLXP 6HFXULW\ &RUUHFWLRQDO )DFLOLW\ LQ WKH .XMH $UHD &RXQFLO RI WKH Federal Capital Territory and let loose hundreds of inmates including some notorious terrorists.

7KH DWWDFN RI -XQH FRQÀUPHG WKH suspicion of many people that terrorists have long had the Federal Capital Territory in their sights.

As a country, Nigeria`s paucity of DGHTXDWH DQG YHULÀDEOH GDWD LV ZHOO documented. However, even the most VNHSWLFDO RI 1LJHULDQV ZRXOG DJUHH WKDW VLQFH WHUURULVP VWDUWHG WR WDNH D YHU\ heavy toll on the country, incalculable costs and losses have been tallied. ,QGHHG WKH ORVVHV DUH XQTXDQWLÀDEOH 0DQ\ SHRSOH ZKR KDYH VXUYLYHG massacres at the hands of terrorists have survived only to start their lives from the scratch because their livelihoods were completely destroyed. Yet, it is a country where people have continued to move on, to trudge on from every manner of VHWEDFN 0DQ\ 1LJHULDQV KDYH VXUYLYHG XQVSHDNDEOH KRUURUV PDQDJLQJ HDFK WLPH WR SLFN XS ZKDW LV OHIW RI WKHLU OLYHV

and continue their journey.

It is very much a country where the UHVLGHQWV RI LWV FDSLWDO FLW\ ZDON RQ eggshells, and it has a lot to with the activities of ragtag criminals who have sworn that every part of the country, especially its capital city, must continue WR IHHO WKH KHDW XQWLO WKHLU XQVSHFLÀHG demands are met.

It says a lot about Nigeria`s decline as a country that those who have continued WR HQMR\ ÀHOG GD\V VRZLQJ WHUURU DOO over the country have only continued to grow in strength and stature while the intensity of Nigeria`s response has FRQWLQXHG WR VKULQN 8QOHVV VRPHWKLQJ LV GRQH TXLFNO\ DQG GUDVWLFDOO\ WR FKHFN WKHLU GDULQJ activities, they will continue to grow in size and ambition.

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

50

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30, 2022

INTERNATIONAL

Creativity and Innovativeness in Building a New Nigeria: The Case of CUDIC 2022 International Conference

T

he2022CalebUniversityDisruptiveInnovationConference(CUDIC-2022)washeldfromTuesday25ththrough Thursday, 27th October, 2022 at the main campus of the university in Imota. Caleb University is the first private university in Lagos State and CUDIC-2022 was its second international conference held virtually and with physically on how to grow and build a new Nigeria that will be capable of meaningfully responding to the challenges of a changing world of globalisation and technology. The conference theme was “#Future Forward: Innovative Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Sustainable Development.”The first international conference focused Telephone : 0807-688-2846 on the theme,‘Future Forward, Disruptive Innovations:What Next?’(Vide e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com ThisDay on Sunday of 31 October 2021 for the report on CUDIC 2021).

We noted at the CUDIC 2021 the issues intrinsic in the notion of‘Future Forward’and‘disruptiveinnovations.’‘FutureForward’firstraisesquestions about the relationship between future and forward. Future can mean immediate future while forward can mean the future after immediate future.’Putdifferently,howdoestheimmediatefuturepushfutureforward further or enhance innovations? Under what circumstance will there not be disruptions when the explications on both the immediate future and the future thereafter will be conjectural?

In fact, we did ask: must there always be disruption before innovation can take place? Does innovative effort necessarily imply disruption?

Mr. Muhammad Nami, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue, provided an answer to the 2021 question. He noted in his goodwill message to the CUDIC 2022 that‘overtime, innovations have disrupted and changed the ways of doing things, and disruptions will continuously evolve.Therefore, the government and businesses must always develop forward-thinking strategies to adopt and adapt to the changes.’Thus, innovation can be disruptive anytime, especially in light of technology developments.

As observed by Engineer Chukwumaobi J. Adiele,‘technology is the means of creating wealth, but capability in the utilization of technology is determined by technology-development or development in the technology. It is capability in the utilization of technology, not technology per se, that determines efficiency and effectiveness in wealth-creation.

Hence, level-of-development-in technology or level-of-technologydevelopment decides the quality, quantity, and cost of created wealth (see hisTechnology-development, AreWe Getting It Right? - Petroleumdevelopment; Lagos: NIIA Lecture Series, No. 88, 2009, p.3).

The essence of CUDIC 2021 was that it asked ‘what next’? CUDIC 2022 provided one answer to the question, its theme: ‘Innovative Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Sustainable Development.’The CUDIC 2022 theme is essentially about capability in the utilisation of technology.

Consequently, how should innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem be Onyeama understood?Whatmakesdevelopmentsustainable?Thequestionraised the number of days of the conference is a reflection of an increasing in 2021was‘what next?’and CUDIC 2022 provided many explications public interest in the conference and the little time there was for to the question. full discussion of the various topics shortlisted in 2021.

CUDIC 2022: Organisation and Issues Secondly, as noted by the Conference Director and first female Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan of the Department of Economics, Professor ofTaxation in Nigeria, Professor Olateju Abiola Somorin, University of Ibadan, who was the keynote speaker at the CUDIC 2022 CUDIC 2022‘is a platform for scholars and professionals to evaluate had it that ecosystem‘refers to the elements – individuals, organisations innovative exploits and ideas that can make our world a better or institutions – outside the individual entrepreneur that are conducive place in the era of the New Normal.’ Chief Adesina Adedayo, the to, or inhibitive of, the choice of a person to become an entrepreneur, 15th Chairman/President of the Chartered Institute ofTaxation of or the probabilities of his or her success following lunch.’Additionally Nigeria, corroborated the observation of Professor‘Teju Somorin and more importantly, Professor Olanrewaju also noted that‘organisain three ways. Chief Adesina said in his goodwill message to CUDIC tions and individuals representing these elements are referred to as 2022 that the theme of the conference was apt because‘it embodies several vital components including innovative reasoning and entrepreneurship stakeholders’ and that ‘entrepreneurial ecosystem entrepreneurship… [I]t presents an opportunity for the academia comprises… all the stakeholders, including government, bureaucracy, to address the long standing fault lines between the knowledge funders, and consumers.’ In this regard, how does entrepreneurial andskillsacquiredbymostgraduatesandthefundamentalrequireecosystem sustain development? What is sustainable development, ments in the contemporary work environment.’ especially from the perspectives of the United Nations and economic More significantly, Chief Adesina posited that ‘profoundly, theories? To what extent is the Nigerian environment conducive to the present economic reality and the present day world of work creativity and innovativeness? How can there be a linkage between the acknowledge and value solution providers. Individuals that are recently signed Start-Up Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari and the innovative and can harmonise such innovative thinking to provide CUDID and CUDIC platforms for innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems? solutions to economic and organisational problems are almost CUDIC 2022 provided more than enough answers. indispensable.’ And most importantly, he argued further that ‘if Andtrueenough,CUDIC2022wasquiteinterestingforvariousreasons. we as a nation effectively leveraged on innovative disruptions ocFirst, CUDIC 2021 was a 2-day conference held on Tuesday 26th and casioned by the Fourth Revolution, we could create entrepreneurial Wednesday 27th October, 2021. CUDIC 2022 was a 3-day conference opportunities for our present and future generations. Similarly, held fromTuesday 25th toThursday 27th October 2022.The increase in

Bola A. Akinterinwa

At the intra-state level, particularly in the South, Igbo people are divided on whether there should be a Republic of Biafra. In the same vein, there is no consensus as to whether there should be an Oduduwa Republic in the Southwest. What is sure is that a great number of Yoruba people are disgusted with the political governance of Nigeria, and in reaction to it, are asking for separation from Nigeria through a referendum. The Federal Government is reacting with full military force which, rather than deterring, is only further strengthening the agitation for self-determination. The same is true of the Igbo in the Southeast. And perhaps more disturbingly are the conflicting politico-constitutional policy contradictions. On the one hand, the 1999 Constitution provides for religious secularity, while the same Constitution is promoting Islamic faith to the detriment of other religions. To promote national unity, fairness and justice, the principle of Federal Character was adopted, but the non-contestable main feature of political governance under PMB is nepotism of the first order. He is fighting corruption and the more he fights, the more institutionalised corruption becomes. Poverty and insecurity have become the hallmark of political governance under PMB. As such, which creative and innovative leeway can serve as a tool for building a new Nigeria and that the Caleb University can come up with before CUDIC 2023?

“

“

VIE INTERNATIONALE

effectiveharmonisationofinnovationandcertificationcouldbringabout a society free from high rate of job seekers, poverty, anarchy, tyranny and profligacy.’ Chief Adesina’s points simply lend much credence to the importance and relevance of CUDID and CUDIC series as delineated and articulated by the Caleb UniversityVice Chancellor, Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie and his management team of eggheads.

Thirdly, 57 papers were listed and presented virtually and hybrid.

Many of the papers were discussed simultaneously in three syndicate sessions during the 3-day conference. Every paper presentation was followed by a general discussion and was moderated by a relevant and seasoned scholar. Fourthly, most of the papers were jointly prepared and presented.The paper on‘Passive Design and Sustainability Convergence wasdonebythreeauthors.Thepaperon‘AssessingtheEfficiencyofVertical Movements in Academic Buildings in Caleb University,’was authored by six people. In fact, only 20 papers out of the total of 57 papers presented at the conference were singly authored. In other words, the Conference was largely innovatively an expression of the development of team work, which, grosso modo, should be encouraged beyond Caleb University.

Fifthly, and perhaps more significantly, the international character of CUDIC 2022 is noteworthy, especially in terms of the issues covered, diversified nationality of the presenters and various analytical frameworks adopted by the many presenters. For examples, Filipa Correira, the Director ofTax Policy Unital Liaison Partner CroweValente Associati GEB Partner, gave a paper on“Post-COVID-19 Recovery and Emergence of New Opportunities.”

In the same vein, PiergiorgioValente, the Chairman of the GlobalTax Advisers Platform (GTAP) and Professor of European UnionTax Law, Link Campus University, Rome in Italy spoke on“Value Chain Resilience and Transfer Pricing Challenges Ahead within a Sustainable Environment.”

AtthelevelofattendanceofNigerianacademics,theywereinabundance: Moses Akiibinu, a Professor of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, who coordinated the syndicate sessions, Professor Adedeji Daramola, the Caleb University DVC, Academics who has not only served as pioneer head of many schools of architecture but is also a member of several international professional bodies, such as the International Advisory Board of the International Energy Foundation in Canada; International Network forTraditional building, Architecture and Urbanism in United Kingdom and European Network of Housing Researchers, all took active parts during the CUDIC 2022. The high-level quality of presenters and discussions that followed raised several intellectual challenges that have the potential to serve as new bases for CUDIC-2023.

Forinstance,thinkingalongtheperspectivesofTodaroandSmith(2006), Professor Olaniyan explained that‘development is‘a multidimensional process that involves major changes in social structures, attitudes, and institutions, as well as economic growth, reduction in inequality, and eradication of absolute poverty.’ In this same vein, ‘sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’

And perhaps most importantly, Article 13 of the United Nations 2030 Development Agenda says‘sustainable development recognises that eradicating poverty in all forms and dimensions, combating inequality within and among countries preserving the planet, creating sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and fostering social inclusion are linked to each other and are interdependent.’It was within the context of the understanding of sustainable development that the quest for innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems was investigated at CUDIC 2022.

The problematic in this case is that the number of the demand for entrepreneurs in Nigeria is reported to be quite high in some States and low in some others. For instance, the people requiring decent jobs as at 2020 was 436,113, in Nasarawa State, 461,253 in Kwara State, 476,904 in Ekiti State and 500,505 in Bayelsa State. When compared to the four States with the highest number of people looking for decent jobs in 2020, Kaduna State had 2,448,183 as against Rivers State’s 2,490,162, Lagos State’s 2,833,835 and Kano State’s 3,027,296 people. Holistically put, Professor Olaniyan had it that‘the total number of Nigerians looking for decent jobs is 44,706,620 which is 25% more than the whole of Nigerians that are working. What and which are the decent jobs?

Creativity, Innovativeness, and New Nigeria One important case study of innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem for sustainabledevelopment,whichnotonlydiscusseddecencyorindecency of jobs but also underscored the dimensions of creativity, innovativeness and implications for making of a new Nigeria, is the paper by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, author of Sweet Sixteen and seasoned journalist with ThisDay newspapers, as well as former Minister ofYouth Development and Chairman National Sports Commission. Mallam Abdullahi spoke on“Innovative Communication, Media and Human Development.”The paper investigated the innovative transformations that have occurred in the media and communications landscape and how the transformations have also impacted on the role of the media‘as a critical driver of human development.’

In discussing human development, he observed, using the capability methodology of Nobel Laureat Amartya Sen, that technological transformation of the media has created great opportunities which have attracted new players into the communications ecosystem but whose primary motivation is profit-making. In the eyes of Amartya Sen, development is ‘the enhancement of freedoms that allow people to lead lives that they have reason to live… Development requires the removal of major sources of unfreedom: poverty as well as tyranny, poor economic opportunities, as well as systematic deprivation, neglect of public facilities, as well as intolerance or over activity of repressive states.’

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

51

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

Comedian Yvonne Orji’s ‘A Whole Me’ to Air on DStv Stories by Vanessa Obioha Award-winning Nigerian-American comedian Yvonne Orji’s new HBO comedy special ‘A Whole Me’ has found a home on two DStv channels when it premieres on October 29 and 30. The comedy will air on M-Net West and 1Magic respectively.

‘A Whole Me’ builds on the success of her first HBO 2020 special, ‘Momma, I Made It!’ which included a video of her trip to Nigeria. It takes off where she left off, delving deeper into the complexities of her Nigerian culture as she presents it to the world — including the talent in front of and behind the camera. It focuses on her changing opinions on friendship, dating, adulting, and why men need better friends, all of which she addresses

in therapy.

“I think it’s bringing the most authentic version of myself.

That’s why the special is called ‘A Whole Me’. This is the new me, that was birthed in isolation, built on growth, refined through hurt, curated from introspection, and perfected by healing. The old me met the new me and became a whole me.”

“We expect Nigerians to have a great time watching ‘A Whole Me’, and it’s just one more way for us to show that entertaining our audiences is our number one priority,” added the Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola.

Yvonne Orji took to comedy after needing a talent for a beauty pageant. She now entertains international audiences with her comedy shows.

Adunni Ade’s ‘Soólè’ Still on Top 10 Netflix List

Adunni

Nollywood filmmaker and producer Adunni Adewale popularly known as Adunni Ade is currently elated as her debut feature film ‘Soólè’ is now streaming on Netflix and still on the Top 10 Movies in Nigeria on the platform. The film had a successful run in Nigerian cinemas in 2021 and grossed millions of Naira in the cinemas. It received rave reviews for its storyline, theme, cast and aesthetics.

A comedy-drama, ‘Soólè’ depicts a number of strangers who find themselves in a sticky situation after they discover a huge sum of money on a bus while on a trip to the East.

The movie was released on Netflix on October 14, 2022, and is produced by Adunni’s production company, Lou-Ellen Clara Films. It is directed by Kayode Kasum, who has directed box office hits like ‘Sugar Rush’, ‘Ponzi’, and ‘Dwindle’. The movie’s cast includes Sola Sobowale, Adedimeji Lateef, Femi Jacobs, Adunni Ade, Shawn Faqua, Meg Otanwa and Kelechi Udegbe among others.

Reggae music may have seen the best of times in Nigeria, however, the genre still commands respectable followership. Moreover, the prospects of Reggae continue to get brighter with the resilience of artists like Patoranking.

In furtherance to the efforts to give Reggae its rightful place, an organisation called Music Awake Africa Foundation has perfected plans to stage the Nigerian Reggae Festival between November 11 and 13 at the Trade Fair Motel, FESTAC-Lagos.

A brainchild of Prince Emeka Ojukwu, the festival will showcase the talents of artists like Daddy West, Jethro Sheeran and EmeeFreda and her band, Planet9.

EmeeFreda who recently signed a two-year promotion and recording contract with the foundation is excited at the opportunity to perform at the Nigerian Reggae Festival with her band. It is believed that the affiliation will launch her career in the right direction giving her the necessary support as a rising independent artiste. This includes playing

EmeeFreda

Nigerian Music Festival Showcases EmeeFreda

Yvonne Orji

Onyeka Onwenu Teams with RoSF for ‘Rise Up’ To uplift the spirits of widows and single mothers in Nigeria and beyond, renowned Nigerian singer and songwriter Onyeka Onwenu, in partnership with the Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF), released a new single ‘Rise Up’.

Written by Onwenu ‘Rise Up’ is a soulful and deeply inspiring song infused with her afro-pop signature style.

The lyrics speak to the struggles women face, stemming from socio-cultural and political perspectives adopted by society. Serving as a member of the board of trustees of the foundation, Onwenu said ‘Rise Up’ is a charity single whose entire proceeds will go towards supporting RoSF’s mission.

“In the span of my career, I have been privileged and immensely blessed by God to have worked on several projects – film, television, music and otherwise. However, I must say that not many can compare to the passion I feel for what we are trying to achieve with the Rose of Sharon Foundation,” Onwenu said, emphasising the driving force behind ‘Rise Up’.

She continued: “My good sister, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, has been moved by God to provide succour to the plights of thousands of Nigerian widows, their children and indeed orphans, who constitute the greater percentage of the vulnerable in our society. She has been doing this for years, and I am only happy to lend my voice to the cause.”

An elated Alakija, the founder of RoSF, noted the impact the foundation has had following its establishment in 2008.

So far, RoSF has positively impacted 6,000 beneficiaries spread across all 36 states of the federation. Some of its empowerment programs include capacity building for women and awarding scholarships to the less privileged.

major roles in her career by organising tours and funding her musical concerts which will be tagged ‘EmeeFreda and Friends.’

Baby Kay Drops EP, ‘Undefined’

By Rebecca Ejifoma Spain-based Nigerian Afrobeat artiste, Chris Uzoezie popularly known as Baby Kay is putting his right foot forward to wow the music scene as he drops his EP, Undefined. Uzoezie is a singer with a purpose. With his new release having a different spice to it, the singer believes that people will appreciate the beauty of music.

“Art has helped me open up and talk more about myself,” he said, explaining that it has paved more windows to share things that he could never share ordinarily. “The emotions evoked in me are mostly stress, love and those feelings that build up in us humans and keep on bubbling up until they have to be released.”

Baby Kay who started his music professionally this year added that his love for music transcends all genres.

“I have always loved music and all types of genres, each genre of my music matches with a part of my personality and it can tell the listener a lot about me.”

Today, the artiste is also promoting his centric style of being comfortable singing in nearly all types of genres.

Having spent most of his life in Finland, Holland, Spain and the UK, it is no gainsaying then that Uzoezie is ready for

Baby Kay

Nigeria’s music industry.

“I’m currently in the process of changing my lifestyle, which most people think is an easy process. But it is not at all,” he admitted, adding that “I’m trying to lead a life that can enable me to fulfil my goals and to be proud of myself”.

Like every goal-setter, Uzoezie has detailed his aim for the next five years. “I have tried to map up my goals for the next five years. However, if I’m really honest, it is taxing to know exactly what you want to do. I wish to have completed my education.”

L-R: Country Manager, Rose of Sharon Foundation(RoSF), Dr. Ndudi Bowei; Founder, RoSF, Apostle Folorunso Alakija; Singer/Songwriter, Lady Onyeka Onwenu; and NGO Coordinator, RoSF, Oloruntosin Taiwo during the press conference to announce the official release of ‘Rise Up,’ a charity single written and produced by Onyeka Onwenu in partnership with Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF) in Lagos

Funnybone, Kachi Offia, Chigul to Host AMAA 2022 Popular comedian and MC, Funnybone, ARISE NEWS Channel host, Kachi Offia, and comedienne cum actress Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah have been confirmed as the host of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) gala night.

This was contained in a statement by AMAA’s director of media, Tope Ajayi.

Already, nominees from different parts of the continent including Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana, as well as nominees from the U.S., Germany, and the United Kingdom have arrived in Lagos for the awards which is scheduled for today, Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the Jewel Aeida Hall, Lekki, Lagos.

Meanwhile, AMAAs official chief host, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised nominees from different countries in Africa and the diaspora a good time in the metropolis. Sanwo-Olu, who promised to host the continental awards ceremony for four years in 2021, reiterated that all is set and ready for a wonderful and memorable awards ceremony.

The award ceremony will be led by Juju legend, King Sunny Ade, P-Square, Kate Henshaw, Young Jon, Zadok, and Yinka Davies. Other music acts confirmed for the

Funnybone, Kachi, Chigul to host AMAA 2022

awards ceremony are Ayo Bankole, Matty, Veentage Band, DJ Kenchello, and Gerald Eze.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

30.10.2022

Vignettes of a Political Life BABAJIMI BENSON Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Defence in the House of Representatives, is a lawyer, an astute politician and management expert. For over three decades, he has become a shining light due to his exemplary leadership. An exceptional politician with a rare passion for public service, he was thrown into national space when he became the youngest to have headed Lagos State Development and Property Corporation at 31 and held sway for 12 years. Youthful in thoughts, magnificent in ideas for driving the nation, the Ikorodu-born politician in a recent encounter, tells Funke Olaode about his career and political trajectory

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/victoria.olaode@thisdaylive.com.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

53

COVER

HOW I DRAW INSPIRATION FROM MY POLITICAL SAVVY FAMILY

H

e is from the renowned Benson family of Ikorodu in Lagos State who as one of the early political figures, has remained in national consciousness up till date. The late T.O.S Benson was a big wig in the Nigerian polity. As a child, his uncle’s larger-than-life image has always enthralled him as he often witnessed him dialoguing with the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Lateef Jakande and politicians of that era about politics and state of the nation.

While his little mind was being unconsciously groomed, his political trajectory was also unfolding. Still, it took almost three decades to take shape.

Having observed that lawyers’ do exploits as politicians, he first studied law and later embraced politics. Today, he is one of the youngest politicians to have emerged from the centre of excellence.

Welcome to the world of Hon. Babajimi Benson, a lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, and Chairman House Committee on Defence. Before his foray into politics, Hon. Benson had demonstrated his leadership and administrative quality at age 31 when he joined the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) where he held sway for eight years. Today, he remains the youngest to have held such public office in Lagos State.

Born on March 30, 1972 in Ikorodu, Hon. Benson is a graduate of Lagos State University (LASU) where he studied law graduating with an LLB in 1994. He would later attend the Nigerian Law School in 1995 where he earned a B.L. His insatiable knowledge took him to London Guildhall University to obtain an LLM in Comparative International Business Law, graduating with a Merit. In 2002, he attended the Warwick Business School (UK) and obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and International Bar Association.

Benson has had an illustrious career in both the public and private sector. His outstanding working career commenced in 1997-1998 as a Legal Officer in the law firm of Babatunde Benson (SAN). Between 2000 and 2001, he was appointed a Legal Officer in the General Counsel Division at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. From 2001 to 2003, he was an in-house Legal Counsel at Ecobank Plc after which he moved to Lead Bank PLC as Deputy Manager (Legal) between 2003 and 2004.

His career progression saw him joining Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) as the Company Secretary (Strategy, Legal and Corporate Governance). Due to the primacy of his role in LSDPC, he was appointed as a Non-Executive Director at the Lekki Freetrade Zone in 2007, a position he held till 2014.

But like a golden fish which doesn’t have a hiding place, his diligence and brilliance sought him when in the 2015 National Assembly elections, he was elected to represent Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Here, he went into politics fully.

Following his sterling competence and parliamentary excellence, Benson was re-elected into the House of Representatives to extend his quality representation and towering performance from June 2019 till date, still on the platform of the same political party where he currently holds the ticket for the third term in the forthcoming elections.

Youthful in thoughts and magnificent in positive ideas that will drive the nation, Hon. Benson is an exemplar for the Nigerian youths due to his consistency and remarkable exploits in the public service over the last three decades. As a parliamentarian, he is driven by a vision

Benson

to make landmark impacts in the areas of youth empowerment, access to business funding for young entrepreneurs, security of lives and property, and healthcare.

Benson is one of the lawmakers that have shaped the ninth House of Representatives by largely influencing the emergence of the current leadership of the House. Furthermore, he has sponsored several impactful bills while his motions in the National Assembly are carefully thought out and crafted to reflect the mood and needs of the people and the nation. “It wasn’t a misstep going into politics. I come from a political savvy family and I myself love politics.

I like finding solutions that is why I studied law.

A lawyer’s job is to find solutions for different people.”

Apart from his responsibility as a lawmaker, he has equally given back to the society through his non-governmental organisation called iCare Foundation, his social intervention and constituency engagement platform with the people of Ikorodu Federal Constituency. The foundation has four core departments that handle varying outreaches namely: Startup Ikorodu, iCare Job Portal, iCare Food Bank and Back to School/Road Grading. Through his foundation, he has continued to impact lives.

Looking sophisticated, polished and calm in his grey suits, Hon. Benson caught the image of a youthful politician as he walked briskly into the gathering where he encountered this reporter. There was no aura about him or a retinue of aides to draw unnecessary attention.

“This is me and who I am,” he said casually. “And of course, it is a reflection of my personality. I am calm and I always pray for the grace of God to put things under control.”

The Ikorodu born lawmaker has spent the last seven years making laws in the ninth National Assembly.

“As said earlier, I was drawn into politics as a child. As I grew older, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a catalyst into my political trajectory. He made me the Deputy Managing Director and company legal adviser of LSDPC. I was 31 years old. Till today, I am the number two legal adviser of any parastatal in Lagos State. LSDPC is the biggest parastatal in Lagos State. I spent 12 years on that seat and when I left I was still the youngest ever to have occupied that seat. I started at 31 and left the seat at 42. Since then I came into the House of

Representatives taking over from Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.”

To say that Hon. Benson is a ‘die-hard’ fan of Tinubu would be an understatement.

“You mean Jagaban?, he asked rhetorically.

“I used the biblical phrase to describe him as Samuel. You know who Samuel was in the bible? So, I remember a story in the bible where they told Saul, ‘if you want to find your father’s donkey go and look for a prophet called Samuel.’ When Saul went to see Samuel, Samuel the prophet said, ‘This is your donkey but I am not here to give your donkey, I am going to make you the King over Israel. So, that is what Asiwaju does. He always looks for people who have a mission and vision and he elevates them and gives them pride of place. And he has done that to a lot of people.

Now, he wants to do it in Nigeria. He wants to take Nigeria on his shoulder and take it to the height that it truly belongs. So, he has done it for the Vice President, for ministers, for governors, and he has done it for little me. He has done it for speaker, senate president and so on. So, I believe he has the right vision to take us to the next level.”

As Chairman Committee on Defence, his take on security is ‘you don’t use security to kill poverty but finding a lasting solution is key. For him, climate change and lack of employment are the roots of human insurgency in the nation. “This has also exacerbated a lot of crises and caused insecurity. The economy is shrinking, the world is volatile and uncertain like I said earlier on. So, things are a bit difficult for everyone. Once there are idle hands, security will thrive.”

In his view, the way forward is to improve on basic social amenities and infrastructural development.

“They say that America is rich. America is rich because they have infrastructure and its infrastructure has made the people rich. Power must be fixed. Road must be built. You know for every one million people, you need 1000 megawatt. We have not been able to provide electricity for our people in a way that it will help them out of poverty. Because there is a nexus between power creation, electricity and how to develop your country. The power infrastructure has been privatized; GENCO, Discos, I am not sure those companies have been living up to expectations. Those are things we should look critically at to ensure that value is added and at the end of the day our youths are taken out of poverty.”

As Chairman House Committee on Defence, and the recent report of oil theft leading to 400,000 of crude oil being syphoned everyday was worrisome. Hon. Benson noted there has been a failure of intelligence when it comes to that.

“There is an intelligent failure. It also has to do with the community providing actionable intelligence for the armed forces to do certain things. Again I always say that a lot of assignments or roles given to service people are not necessarily what they ought to be doing. Tracing pipelines, I believe it is a police, civil defence portfolio. It is not something that the Army will be chasing somebody stealing crude oil. If the crude oil gets into territorial waters the Navy maybe brought in but getting the trunk, the network should have been detected by the police or the civil defence.

But it is also very sad that a 4 kilometer long pipeline has been used to syphon petrol or crude oil from Nigeria to high sea. So I think any means necessary, any how we can help cure or stop that using the locals, I think it is part of intelligence sharing. The community policing thing that we have been talking about.”

As 2023 elections approach, Hon. Benson is confident that with all the moves so far by the INEC in terms of technology knowhow, Nigeria will be a shining example in the continent of Africa.

“We have four presidential candidates in Atiku Abubakar, Tinubu, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and we have Peter Obi. These are people who have huge followership, whose members believe each one of them can win.

With that alone, the excitement is there, the hope is there. I don’t believe there will be any violence. And if it eventually rears its ugly head, I don’t believe that will be enough to nullify or cause the extension of the 2023 elections. “I am hopeful for and in a better Nigeria,” he said.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

54

HighLife Another Year in the Bag for Dokpesi

with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807, E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

When Air Peace CEO, Onyema, is Not at Peace Here is an old African proverb worth thinking about: when the gods are angry at a person, they first make him mad. This period appears to be one of business scandals as so many corporate giants in Nigeria are having their comfort rugs suddenly pulled out from under them. It seems as if it is now the turn of Allen Onyema, the CEO of the private Nigerian airline, Air Peace. However, the scandal involving him appears capable of ending his business reign.

An American woman named Ebony Mayfield has come out to intimate that Onyema’s hands are nowhere near as clean as he wants the Nigerian government, his business associates, and Nigerians at large, to believe. Specifically, Mayfield confessed to a United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, in Atlanta, that Onyema paid her a huge sum of money to sign fake documents and engineer a bank fraud.

Speaking out in an attempt to absorb herself of too much guilt and lighten the

court’s judgment, Mayfield explained how Onyema approached her with a business deal.

According to her, all Onyema wanted her to do was to act as the manager of his Atlanta-based Springfield Aviation Company in 2016 to sell commercial aircraft and their parts. However, she was not qualified for such an enterprise seeing as she was only a bartender and nightclub dancer.

During her alleged play as Springfield’s manager, Mayfield reportedly signed fake documents for Onyema which enabled him to transfer funds ($20 million) from a Nigerian bank to Springfield’s account abroad. The purpose of the transferred funds was to purchase five Boeing 737 passenger planes from Springfield. However, Onyema reportedly moved $15 million of the transferred funds to his personal savings account with a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Atlanta, Georgia, after paying Mayfield $20,000 for her role in the alleged play.

Currently, Mayfield risks five years in jail for her part in the alleged fraudulent activity. In the meantime, Onyema has denied all the allegations and is yet to appear in court.

Onyema

Dokpesi

To be or not to be, that is the question. For many lovers of literature, these words by Williams Shakespeare are very profound.

And yet, for others, the real goal is living out the words until they fall short of the true depth of their meaning. Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the Chairman of DAAR Communications Limited, is one such person who has lived and continues to live fine. Recently, he hit the mark of 71, while still retaining his title of one of the most accomplished media entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The media industry in Nigeria recently celebrated the 71st birthday of Dokpesi a few days ago. Several prestigious individuals and corporate entities sent along their goodwill in the form of congratulatory messages.

Others, however, took the time to contemplate Dokpesi’s life and accomplishments, ending their soliloquies with guttural exclamations and sighs.

To say that Dokpesi has not lived an enviable life is to attempt to cap his accomplishments. Born on October 25, 1951, Dokpesi was a member of a family that included six female children. The dynamics of such a household probably influenced his interest in drama, so it is not surprising that he became a notable character in media despite the barriers to such an interest in the 1990s.

More than anything else, Dokpesi is known for pioneering Africa Independent Television (AIT), Africa’s first satellite Television station. As a consequence, he is widely known as a media sage and lauded for braving the challenges of setting up the first privately owned radio station in Nigeria.

There is no doubt that Dokpesi has accomplished a lot more than he is given credit for in Nigeria’s media industry. Yet, considering the sensitivity of the industry, Dokpesi was able to navigate barriers and reach the level of a historic progenitor. Now that he has clocked 71, he is crystallizing his position in Nigeria and is still enjoying the praises of Nigerians at home and abroad.

Ashafa

A person that is committed to discharging the duties of their office is a person that can be trusted. Senator Gbenga Ashafa, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing

Authority of Nigeria (FHA) is one such person. Since coming into this position in 2020, nothing else has been heard about Ashafa except his constant exertions to see the will of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians done in the area of sustainable housing. Based on his doings thus far, it is clear that a revolution is coming to Nigeria’s housing sector.

Senator Ashafa is not the most gregarious public officer around. In fact, he is very distant when compared to his peers. Any time he is in the public’s eye or appears to be hugging the limelight, you can be sure that he was thrust into it and did not seek it out himself. And yet, for one so apparently shy, Ashafa has a way of shaking public expectations for the good.

Since Ashafa came into FHA as MD/ CEO, it has been a case of one good news

Senator Aishatu Binani’s Good Example Regardless of the darkness and uncertainty of the times, there will always be individuals whose actions spark hope in the hearts of spectators and bystanders. Senator Aishatu Ahmed (Binani) is one such individual.

Despite being a woman in an institution greatly dominated by men, she is a shining example of what a genuine representative of people is. In her continued efforts to see the will of the people done, Binani is not deterred by the ups and downs of her senatorial office and has even gone on to be the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It has been a while since a female political figure shook the halls of leadership in Nigeria.

Because they make up a paltry handful of the movers and shakers of policymaking in Nigeria, female politicians generally have to ride the storm with double the effort before reaching the shores of accomplishment and recognition. On this front, Binani can be said to be doing extremely well.

Pacesetter: Utibe Rone as One of the Leading Lights in Fashion and Style When the cockerel crows very loudly, it is usually because there is a female chicken nearby for which it is content to strain its voice.

The aphorism is a bit crass, yes, but it hits at the essence of one of the things that drive the man dubbed the Jewel of Niger Delta, the man behind

Binani

UTM Offshore Limited, Julius Rone. This person who is the motivation for Rone’s doings is his wife, Utibe ‘Yutee’ Rone, a bright and stunning individual. And while her husband is raising dust in the oil and gas sector of Nigeria, Yutee is doing even more in the fashion and style industry.

It has been a while since Yutee actively made an effort to stand out among Nigeria’s most successful women. Even so, her achievements are not far from the apex. As a fashion genius, Yutee casts every step of hers in the halls of true fashion and style appreciation. This has led others to believe that her grasp of the

after another. It is partly due to his doings that a significant portion of the federal government’s attention became drawn to the housing situation in Nigeria. It is partly due to the doings of Ashafa that sustainable housing became a reasonably-developed target to be included in national policy and budget. It is partly due to the doings of Ashafa that Nigeria’s housing situation is no longer as dismal as it used to be.

Although most of the working senator’s projects are driven toward developing urban and semi-urban regions, it is no secret that he has great things in mind for the rural corners of the country.

So, it is for Ashafa that doing the expected is more than a priority. His accomplishments, although quiet, are genuinely transforming the nation for the better.

Even though she is not a noisemaker, the doings of Senator Binani, the figure representing Adamawa Central in the Senate, continue to dazzle. Known in some quarters as the lady intent on breaking the glass ceiling for female participation in politics, Binani is doing all she can to ensure that there are female voices once one gets past the changeresistant vestibules of Nigeria’s politics.

Currently, Senator Binani is the only female senator from the whole of Northern Nigeria. More than that, she recently came first in the Adamawa APC governorship election, beating prestigious individuals like Nuhu Ribadu, the first Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow, the immediate past governor of Adamawa state, and Abdurrazaq Namdas, a member of the House of Representatives.

So far, Binani has lit a fire in the hearts of women everywhere, with Adamawa being the first witness of the glorious age.

Her good example is worth emulating in every corporate and government quarter of leadership in Nigeria. industry and its particulars is innate and nearly divine. But this is not the case. She is only immeasurably good at what she does.

Yutee is a designer. She is generally believed to be one of the most gifted and accomplished high-end women’s wear designers in Africa.

Her company, Yutee Rone, was established in 2007 and it distinguished itself by designing unique styles using the best fabric quality around. Because of this, Yutee has been able to claim her place among women’s wear designers in the country and African continent, easily trumping her peers in other parts of these regions.

55

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

HIGHLIFE

Another Promise Fulfilled as Babajide Sanwo-Olu Rolls out 62 Fire Trucks The way things are going in Lagos State, it looks like Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be able to surpass his peers across time and geographical space to become the most accomplished governor in Nigeria. Currently, virtually every sector and institution bears the marks of his passing, and he leaves deep grooves on the earth with his steps.

Lagosians have once again become the cynosure of envy across Nigeria. The new wave of unbridled admiration and jealousy followed the recent news that Governor Sanwo-Olu is preparing to inaugurate three new fire stations and 62 new trucks for firefighting in Lagos. With this action, the end of sudden fires gutting businesses and residential locations in Lagos has come.

According to reports, Sanwo-Olu’s recent fire-related gesture is geared toward addressing emergency issues in Lagos.

Specifically, Sanwo-Olu will commission

three new fire stations across different parts of the state. These include the Ebute-Elefun Fire Station at Lagos Island, the Oniru Fire Station at Lekki, and the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Fire Station at Apapa, Ajegunle. And to go along with these fire stations, Sanwo-Olu has made provisions for 62 firefighting trucks.

Furthermore, because Sanwo-Olu never does anything halfway, he is also reported to have approved the recruitment of 435 firefighters in Lagos so as to bolster the efforts of the already-existing firefighting manpower. As a result, the response to emergency fires in Lagos will be topnotch and the full-scale education of Lagosians regarding how to manage fire outbreaks will soon be underway.

One must admit that Sanwo-Olu is gradually making his way into the list of the best-serving Nigerian governors since 1960. His persistent steps toward this direction also appear

Ladi Adebutu in Pains

Sanwo-Olu

unintentionally, which makes it all the more impressive. Thus, Sanwo-Olu is a model for his peers: he focuses on the welfare and needs of his people, and consequently perpetually bumps into a deluge of heartfelt prayers and praises.

Douye Diri Working Round the Clock to Ensure Succor for Victims of Flooding

Diri

Experience has taught us that trials have both a refining and divulging effect. Since the waters of flooding started ravaging certain parts of Nigeria in 2022, the struggle

against their debilitating effects has served to both hone the survival skills of affected Nigerians and reveal to these victims the individuals interested in their welfare. From every indication, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, is one of these people who is going out of his way to help the victims of the flood.

Governor Diri will likely acquire a humanitarian award after the flooding crisis in Nigeria is over and people are back in their homes. While other government figures are blaming the heavens for sending too much rain and others are pointing fingers at Cameroon for relieving their dams, Governor Diri and his team are not sitting back to twiddle their thumbs. Instead, they are going back and forth to make sure that the victims of the flood are not overwhelmed and do not lose hope.

According to recent reports, Diri has already approved an initial sum of N450

million to help relocate the victims of the Bayelsa flooding that have been displaced.

The plan is to move these people to areas in the state with high altitudes, and then provide them with relief materials to temporarily assuage their suffering.

Specifically, the victims of flooding in Yenagoa local government area will now be moved to the Oxbow Lake area as well as the state heliport where they will temporarily reside.

The flooding crisis this year has shown itself to be calamitous. According to reports, even the Otuoke home of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State has been covered by the flood, not minding the poorly constructed residential buildings of the other affected Bayelsa people. As such, Diri’s good work on this front is admirable and worthy of emulation elsewhere.

Zenith Bank DMD, Dame Adaora Umeoji, Donates Ultra-Modern Church Building to FCT Community In the light of true life, to impact or not to impact the existence of other people positively ought to be the moral question. And this is a question that prestigious and compassionate personages like Zenith Bank’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD), Dame Adaora Umeoji, are countering with their actions. At least, in the Dobi community in Abuja, the people there can testify that Umeoji’s existence is a plus in their lives.

Zenith Bank’s DMD is currently enjoying the prayers of a church congregation in Abuja. The congregation whose church services are held in the Dobi community recently got a big gift in the form of an ultramodern church building. Unsurprisingly, Umeoji fulfilled her promise to the church members and gave them a place where they can happily worship God, earning His blessings so they can also affect the lives of other people.

During the dedication ceremony which was held on Sunday, October 8, 2022, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, blessed the new church building and ratified its name as the Immaculate Conception Parish, Dobi, FCT, Abuja. By doing so, the archbishop cemented the feat of Umeoji, earning her the praises of the parish members.

The building has been under construction since 2019. However, for one reason or another, it took a while to complete it. Now that it is complete, Umeoji has once again shown herself to be a genuine philanthropist, one more interested in the lives and welfare of other people than her own.

No wonder she was among the individuals recently awarded national honours by President Muhammadu Buhari. With doings such as her donation to the Dobi community, Umeoji has demonstrated her dedication to Nigerians living outside her immediate circumstances.

Umeoji

The Nigerian brand of politics cannot be divorced from drama, which is why many critics have said repeatedly that politics in Nigeria should be interpreted alongside the dramatized antics of Nollywood.

Only then would some political figures understand that they are playing with the lives of Nigerian citizens when they do unreasonable things.

Consider, for example, the current circumstances surrounding Ladi Adebutu, the Ogun state governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

After labouring for so many years to earn the trust of some of his people so he can run on their behalf, Adebutu has fallen into another ditch that threatens to capsize his dream of being Ogun governor.

According to the most recent news, Adebutu has been suspended by the Ogun state chapter of the PDP. Despite being one of the top aspirants for the governorship stool, the reports have it that he unwittingly aligned himself with some ‘unscrupulous elements’ in the party to contravene an agreement to ensure peace in the party. By doing so, Adebutu earned himself a month-long suspension that can become an expulsion from the party.

Adebutu was not the only prominent PDP member temporarily thrown out the door.

There was also the party’s Acting Chairman in Ogun, Honorable Taiwo Akinlabi; the State Secretary, Honorable Sunday Solarin; the State Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Bankole; and the Ogun East Senatorial Chairman, Arc. Kayode Adebayo.

In truth, one cannot blame the PDP executives for taking such drastic actions against Adebutu and his group. As the official report of their suspension revealed, this is the first time in 24 years in Ogun that PDP cannot produce a governorship candidate for the election. In fact, the party has become a laughingstock in the state, and some of this blame can be laid on the feet of Adebutu.

So, yes, these are not the best of times for the son of notable businessman, Kessington Adebutu.

Auwal Lawan: The Most Talked-about Businessman at the Moment

Lawan

Incredible things are happening in Nigeria.

Those that used to be described as having to rely on the prestige of their relatives have started to make waves of their own. The detractors are left to their mobile devices, reading comment after comment of someone else’s good works. The name ‘Auwal Lawan’ is currently at the tip of every informed person’s tongue. That is because

the bearer of that name managed to purchase Polaris Bank when many of his peers were still wondering whether or not the bank was up for grabs.

Lawan is currently the bride of many inquiries. After the news began making the rounds that he had purchased Polaris Bank for N1.35 trillion, people began to speculate about his person, his businesses, the connections, and how he was able to snag possession of the bank from under the noses of more famous business people in Nigeria. After all, Lawan is said to have immediately coughed out N50 billion of the total cost price, to settle the rest later on.

In truth, Lawan is every bit the equal of the aforecited famous Nigerian businesspeople.

He is reported to be the financial bicep behind Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL), the company that he used to bargain with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria

(AMCON) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the acquisition of Polaris Bank.

And he succeeded in this endeavour.

It is interesting to note that SCIL was only registered in April 2022, making it merely six months at the time Lawan used it to acquire Polaris Bank. Before SCIL, Lawan had two other notable companies: Ponglomerape Limited and Nice Corporate Services Limited.

However, it is unknown whether Lawan is the only corporate power behind the two companies. Nevertheless, he certainly used them, Ponglomerape Limited, especially, to further his ambition to get Polaris Bank. And, once again, he succeeded where others failed.

As the new waves will gradually overtake the old and Polaris Bank completely exchanges hands, the reputation of Lawan will continue to climb and rise until he is one of the corporate giants in Nigeria and this corner of Africa.

Adebutu

56

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Wike, Keyamo, Fani-Kayode and Melaye: ‘Terrorists’ Unleashed

Wike

Keyamo

Fani-Kayode

Melaye

These four gentlemen are confirmed ‘terrorists’ and I love them. Their no holds barred approach to this our election is giving me super-duper goose pimples as they take on each other and everything with the frenzy of very hungry hyenas like the ones in Obasanjo’s zoo. They are mad men, who carry their madness with pride and are not hesitant in any way to deliver massive attacks.

Wike is the most wicked of them all. He has really finished his party Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. Nothing he has not called that one o. It only remains to accuse him of erectile dysfunction. The way he tears into Ayu, you will really pity that one. There was one blow he gave – if I talk, Ayu’s children will disown him. I was on the toilet seat when I saw that one. I screamed and jumped up. Wow! This Wike na ‘terrorist’. The one that trips me the most is the one that he will be speaking and the next minute, his standby highlife band will break into ‘pepper dem’ song, and then he will start dancing like he has a bad case of kwashiorkor. Kai! This man na wa.

Femi Fani-Kayode na class act. Ohhh

my God, the way he comes out in perfect Queen’s English and be saying – the man is a cretin, ill-bred, bastard whose mother gave birth to him in a latrine. Kai! Egbon Femi can fear me o. You really do not want to go near him o. When he blows his opponent, he will be sending the link to all just in case you may have missed it.

An interviewer’s delight who always ensures you get your viewership with his stunning abuse and attacks. I enjoy watching him o.

The man worse pass Scud missile. You really don’t want to be his target. When he took on Melaye, I was weak. Ill-bred, he screamed.

Coward who jumped out of a moving bus to evade arrest and a foolish idiot hiding in his toilet. I really don’t reckon with him – he continued because his father did not go to school. Kai, Femiii ooooo kai, you will soon kill someone with your yabis o.

His take on Amaechi remains indelible. He finished that one o, querying his upbringing and doubting if that one was given basic home training. I was just shouting as I watched on TV. Kai. Fear FFK o. Fear am o.

Keyamo came late to the party but has

quickly pushed himself to the front making him a verbal terrorist of international repute. After falling on the way side with his lame attempt at defending the almost indefensible Tinubu Primary and secondary education gaffe, he has since bounced back o. See as he finished Momodu last week.

He just tear that one cloth and we thank God that Uncle Dee used to wear undies.

Otherwise, we would have been made to ogle at some privates which would have left us with no need to send an ovation.

Kai, he said Uncle is a known praise singer and he should remain in that space o and not dabble into things he is not trained for – policy analysis. Haba Keyamoooooooo!!! Keyamo!!! This is someone’s father and husband o. But why? Why will you finish a whole man like this? The first publisher of colour magazines in Nigeria that used to show us people’s bathrooms. Is it because your house no fine reach to enter Ovation?

Please fear God o. Keyamo is a king in yabis and his Warri background also helps in no small measure.

Oh my God! Dino is someone you don’t want to mess with. He will not only yab you, he will release songs on you and do skits. Did you see the parody he did on Fani-Kayode when that one called him a useless oaf. This Dino is mad o, because Obasanjo used food to yab Femi, Dino act the thing for him parlor. Kai. Dino songs of yabis are major hits. He will yab you o, from Buhari to Tinubu to FFK to anybody and he will usually end his songs with his fingers pulling down his eyes and sticking out his tongue making him uglier than usual. His Governor Yahaya Bello used to be his usual target but FFK and Buhari and Tinubu seem to be his subjects recently.

These four make the whole election season hilarious. Their no-holds barred attack and the creativity they put into it all continues to excite us and I think they should be inducted as legends into the Nigerian Comedy Hall of Fame.

They are all GOATS – greatest of all time. Kai.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI, LET’S SIT THIS OUT Just as some of us are warming ever so slightly towards the prospect of a possible Tinubu Presidency, Baba throws a wet blanket on the whole thing. He wants to be very involved in the campaigns. Be like say, Baba does not know the massive baggage he is carrying. The worst administration in almost all indices since the Civil War, a lethargic approach to government and a detached involvement with the citizenry will only lead to an apathy never before seen on the soap box.

The thing is that these elections are usually not really determined by an above the table measurement but by major control of the ‘structures’ otherwise, what would be giving Baba Buhari the courage and boldness to come out and be saying he wants to be involved in the campaign You see, my five-day stay in Abuja, the other time, made me see Nigeria differently. You see all these noises we are making begin and end on social media o. The rest of the country are on a very different timepiece o. My hotel in Maitama had only NTA and also

because NTA stations were covering my Play ‘Sardauna’, I was forced to watch NTA all of those five days.

My people, if you watch NTA, you will think we are richer than America o. Na another different Nigeria those people are seeing o. To those people, there is no problem and the Government is doing its very best. From the newscasters, to the ‘talking heads’, even those on the streets that were interviewed, and this is what Buhari and his closest people will be fed with daily.

Even me, after five days I begin to

ask myself questions. Na until I landed in Lagos and was hit by the corruption at the Airport that my brain reset. This na why Buhari will be believing that he is the best thing that has happened to us since Agege bread and as a result he is itching to join the campaign and push for continuity.

If he will be willing to take advice, na make he just start to look at his retirement plan. Concentrate more on drawing up activities that will fill his last days – maybe build a Presidential Library in Daura, collect

Buhari

Tinubu

Oyetola

Ogeah

57

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS visiting professorship in faraway places like Afghanistan, Peru and Himalaya and leave Tinubu alone.

Tinubu is very capable. He is turning worse situations into bad and careening church rats into the Ministry of Agriculture. He really does not need Buhari’s help on this. He is ok.

An overdose of Buhari is simply not what the Doctor has ordered for us.

Oga, please just take a well deserved rest. Can’t you even marry a new wife or something? Kai. TINUBU’S MANIFESTO PLAGIARISM NOT CONFIRMED Even me sef, when I saw the title, I screamed kai copy and paste but held my peace. Then I saw Uncle Dele Momodu’s attack. He said very clearly that it was a blatant copy of MKO Abiola’s Hope 93 Manifesto. I screamed o. Why would Tinubu do that? Doesn’t he know that Kola Abiola is in the race and may want to use his father’s manifesto for himself since he may not have the time to knock out something for himself.

All this wahala is because me I don’t want to read the thing o. Why bother, all the manifesto we have seen since independence which one work? Which one was implemented? They are usually not worth the paper they are printed on and are in some cases used to sell boli in front of the party’s secretariat, hence my disinterest.

Then my brother Keyamo landed.

Kai, that one can yab o. He asked my dear Uncle Dele to maintain his lane and that he was better off with praise singing that he has almost turned into a Harvard degree programme rather than coming to a lane he knew nothing about. My brother, that is what they call ‘gbosa’ in Shomolu and as I write, I have not heard from Uncle Dele. I am sure he is somewhere with his BP meds and taking his time before responding.

This Keyamo is kinda wicked with the way he used to unleash. Terrorist.

Then my brother, Tope Fasua PhD enter the matter o. He came with big big English and was talking about ‘three apps’. I asked what three apps again in manifesto o. The thing was too long and engaging that after the first chapter, I just leave am and called my brother Magnus Onyibe.

“Mr. Onyibe, please fear God and tell me the truth. Your wife is my friend and I know you will not lie to me. Please, is Tinubu’s manifesto plagiarizing MKO Abiola?”

Now Mr. Onyibe is Harvard trained and just came back from a tour of America, where he attended Donald Trump’s daughter’s wedding and as such his world view is totally different from the Onyibe that was in Asaba as Commissioner. Now he has sat on a table across from Trump and Trump must have winked at him so his international credentials are no longer the same, hence my belief that he will be very objective in this matter.

Magnus, oya answer, and he went straight to the point after over 10 minutes of introduction.

“Edgar, the document is not plagiarizing anything. It only copied the title from MKO but the body of the document is not plagiarized. Not totally original but we are facing almost the same issues in Nigeria and as such we may all not be too far from each other.”

He concluded by saying that even someone in Buhari’s government is accusing Atiku of plagiarizing their own manifesto. I said ok o.

So, I believe Mr Onyibe and will not agree with Uncle Dele Momodu that the APC manifesto was plagiarized simply because Magnus has said so.

Case closed. Thank you.

POSSIBLE TERROR ATTACK: CHOOSE TODAY, WHO YE SHALL FOLLOW My people, America and Britain send travel advisory to their people asking them to run away quickly and our government is saying we should not mind them. In fact, Uncle Lai who is the most creative politician of this dispensation has even come out to be asking if they can predict the next school shooting let alone predicting when the next attack will happen in Suleja Market.

WANDE ABIMBOLA: HIP HOP OBASHIP IN YORUBA LAND

Oba Akanbi

You see how I used to carry myself into wahala that does not concern me. Two big Juju men are fighting and me I am putting my mouth. If stray bullet come now, where will I run to?

But the issue at stake is really very cogent at this time especially now that the Ooni has decided to single-handedly reduce the numbers of single very beautiful women in the market thereby creating artificial scarcity.

Professor’s position is very key. The deluge of Obas all-over South-western Nigeria has led to a devaluation with a very powerful desecration of the institutions. Now almost every street corner has an Oba. Obaship is now everywhere that the next miscreant can wake up and call himself Oba. Even the first-class ones are carrying themselves like hip hop artistes and making a mockery of the institution. Sad. I am a strong traditionalist. I love the pureness of our tradition and have visited all the five shrines in Olumo Rock. I have interacted with some priests and have watched them carry on with their activities. Very beautiful. As soon as I can overcome my fear, I will visit the Osun grove. But my people, these our Obas are not helping the matter. To them the whole thing is one long disco session with colorful clothes, trains of wives and all of that.

I once visited the palace of a first class and revered Oba in Ogun state and almost puked from the stench. Come and see chicken shit all over the palace. Come and see cockroaches and rats running over our ‘gods’. This was a very big and influential Oba o. I almost cried. Is this what tourists will come from all over the world to visit?

Professor Wande says that there are over 10,000 Obas in Yoruba land. Na lie, he reach 100,000 for Shomolu alone. We have like 20 if we put Baale ooo. The whole My people, it is now for the very sensible ones among us to choose who we shall follow on this matter. Should we follow those who have credible intel with the latest technology to see terrorists masturbating in their caves or we follow those whose bedrooms were burgled in Aso Rock or those who stood there and terrorists invaded and released their compatriots from prison right under our very noses.

The choice is really ours o. As for me

thing is looking like a mess now.

Oluwo of Iwo says, the gods are meaningless and powerless. Kai, I want to cry. Why would he say that as reported?

They are not ooo. How can Sango and Obatala be meaningless? According to Prof. Wande millions worship these deities all over the world. Brazil, America, Cuba and here we are turning the gods to DJs. I once visited the Olu of Warri’s palace and the Oba of Benin’s palace and you will fear. I swear you will fear. The strict adherence, the clean culture, the tradition are still very healthy o. I will not say that of the North. Emir Sanusi and Sardauna opened me up to the pageantry that is Royalty in the North.

When Emir Sanusi arrived, you see the respect, the fear, the adulation and you see tradition in its best form. Oh my God when the Olu of Warri arrived for my play, I almost died. My head was swelling.

The colour, the beauty, the richness of the tradition.

But our disco king near Lekki when he arrived na hailings o. Baba ke, baba mi. The king himself was even pushing people away. The whole thing just looked like Davido arriving at the airport.

I support Professor Wande on this matter, the present crop of Obas’ in Yoruba land is seriously eroding a once very beautiful culture and tradition. The Yoruba culture and tradition is one of the most beautiful in the world. Its ethos reverberates and can be said to be one of the most exotic globally. But these owambe Obas that we have today are just not doing justice to the very beautiful culture. Sad. Please nobody should come and try me o.

I am only saying my mind and if we are going to be very truthful to each other you will agree with me. I have been offered chieftaincy title for N20,000 in this Lagos so I know what I am talking about. Prof Wande is totally right! and my family, I have given myself travel advisory not to near Abuja until the US Ambassador not only comes back but is seen buying Suya in the Wuse market.

I don talk my own and I don keep quiet. Listen to Lai Mohammed at your own risk. Thank you.

SEVERANCE PACKAGE – ACQUILLA, ARE YOU SEEING? Acqilla is one company I used to

work for. I don’t want to call them name in full in case they carry lawyer and pursue me but I must tell this story because the thing is really paining me.

I have seen the report where Buhari and crew will be paid for failure. Reports we are seeing from the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission shows that we will be paying N63.45billion nationwide for failure. Yes, that is what we will be paying Buhari and his co-travelers for bringing the country to its knees after eight years.

Specifically, Buhari and his cast and crew in the federal government will take home N3.39billion as severance package and this is not inclusive of a possible 300% of annual basic salary for life and other such benefits.

Now the ‘yeye’ governors and their minions will take home another N60b for the carnage they unleashed on us.

As I was reading the report, anger and fear was my companion. Anger that we are rewarding incompetence and sadness because I now see the reason behind all that – the presidency is my life ambition.

You see our Presidency and indeed public office is now a retirement package. Instead of people to be planning their retirement with the licensed Pension Fund Administrators, they are shouting -Emilokan all over the place. You now see why the Presidency is do or die. Why some people are taking drip and sex enhancement drugs to enter presidential campaign.

The most annoying is the N5m entitlement for Special Advisers. Mbok, what are they advising and the other day Tambuwal went and appointed 50 of such goons and the next minute they will say the Government is broke.

You will now be asking wetin concern Acquilla for the matter. Well let me tell you. So, I was contracted to turn the place around. I no blame dem, I over sell myself. As I dey talk that day for the interview, Oga Chuka was just looking at me with mouth open.

They gave me company and I struggled from day one till the day I ran away.

The load was too much, the wahala, the fight everything. Lack of cohesion, I just run-away o. Since then they have not paid my money o. They are owing me so much money as back end salaries and the rest because they say I could not turn the company around so unlike Federal Government dem no pay my severance package o.

EVEN THAT OSUN GOVERNOR WEY JUST WAKA PASS OSUN, DEM GO PAY AM O. Now compare, at least I no add to their debt, I just leave them the way I meet them. Now see Nigeria, we are giving Buhari and crew N3b from moving Naira from N300 to over N700, for coordinating the greatest exodus of youths – Japa- in our history, for the highest level of unemployment since civil war and increasing national debt to a reported N40 trillion and other woes wey I no want talk for here.

Please the day they are paid, please pay my money. If Buhari deserves a severance package, me sef I deserve same. Please anybody wey know Oga Chuka and Oga Nnamdi help me beg them. Tell them that my colleagues in destruction are being paid billions, even if na N1m dem give me out of my money, I will be grateful and not disturb them again. Na wa. Laugh wan kill me.

CHIKE OGEAH’S ONE MOMENT IN TIME Let me end this column this week by sending very strong birthday wishes to my egbon and handsome man about town and the only husband of the elegant Funke, the great Hon. Chike Ogeah. I no dey fit spell him chieftaincy title so I leave am make I no offend the gods of Asaba.

Chike is a man I will never yab because the way his hand is, if he slap me, I go see Nebuchadnezzar. Kai. So, as I no want start to count stars that is why I will not ask for him age, before we start another ‘Tinubusque’ type rigmarole.

Make I just say, happy birthday to a very classic gentleman. Happy birthday great sir and may the Almighty, give us the total grace to continue to wallow beneath your great wings. Happy birthday lord.

58

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Ooni of Ife on a Record-breaking Mission

Ogunsemo

Temitope Ogunsemo’s Global Recognition When Temitope Ogunsemo attempted to secure his academic transcript, it turned out to be a difficult and equally frustrating experience. It was this moment that birthed the idea of a School of Information Management System that would not only improve the storage, preservation and retrieval of academic records but would also position institutions in the country to harness the benefits of digitisation.

In 2010, he ventured into a lifelong call of entrepreneurship when he founded Krystal Digital Solutions Limited, a company that specialises in the development and deployment of customised and service-oriented software applications as well as IT training.

In 2017, Krystal Digital won the Tech Company of the year award at the Nigeria Technology Award.

In November 2018, it was awarded Most Enterprising ICT Organisation at the Nigeria Entrepreneur Award Ceremony. Ogunsemo has received several awards, locally and internationally.

In 2019, he was singled out as the Most Influential Global Young Leader at the Africa Europe Youth Leadership Summit in Gambia.

In that same year, he was part of the list of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans and 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians respectively. Forbes Africa listed him in 2018 as one of the 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa. For him, it has been a season of awards and recognition, as he has been listed in the Choiseul top 100 most promising young business leaders.

The Choiseul 100 Africa is an annual survey exclusively carried out by the Institut Choiseul. It identifies and ranks the young African leaders of 40 years old and below, who will play a major role in the continent’s economic development soon.

It is not surprising that the technology great, Ogunsemo was listed among these young creative entrepreneurs who have a well-designed future for digital and infrastructure development in Africa and are incessantly doing their best to make it happen.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, surely knows how to draw attention to himself.

Since he ascended the throne of his ancestors, he has continued to be in the news for different reasons, negative and positive. And at different times, he has set tongues wagging over his actions and inactions, particularly about his marriages.

But the revered monarch seems not to give a hoot about this.

The tall and handsome king, in the past few weeks, has literally set the internet on fire, as he has gone on a marriage spree. He has taken to the altar six beautiful brides, with enviable status each, in quick succession within one month.

In September when he married the Ebira-born Mariam Anako, not many foresaw that he would bring home several others until he married Dr. Elizabeth Akinmuda the same month.

Though many had thought that he was going to stop at that, he brought in Olori Tobi Phillips almost immediately. The king, again, increased the list in October with yet another Olori, Ronke Ademiluyi, with whom he had been linked from his younger years in London. Also in October, he married Princess Temitope Adesegun, a niece to a former Works Commissioner and Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Prince Segun Adesegun.

Since then, his marriages had become a major discussion across the country, especially

on the internet. In fact, it is one of the trending discussions on Twitter.

The seventh, according to a source, would join the long list this week. Sources who are close to the palace revealed that the Ooni would not stop until he acquires nine or 12 wives before the year ends. What a record!

The story of his married life took a different dimension when his marriage to Olori Wuraola broke up. Shortly after the break up in 2017, the Ooni was romantically linked with several ladies. But the monarch was always quick to deny any romantic affair with any of the ladies, who allegedly threw themselves at him owing to his status.

He had always been criticized over his single status but would later shut up naysayers after he married Shilekunola Naomi Oluwasheyi.

However, the marriage that produced a son, Tadenikawo, couldn’t stand the test of time, as it collapsed in 2021.

To say many were shell-shocked was an understatement when the evangelist turned Olori posted her separation from the monarch.

She would later release an epistle on her verified Instagram account, disclosing that she had relinquished her role as an Olori to the youthful Ife monarch. Those close to the monarch disclosed that it was a slap to him and the

Tonye Cole, the co-founder of Sahara Energy, is a familiar name in the oil and gas business in Nigeria. But the shrewd businessman is not happy at the moment, as he seems to be having a challenge realizing one of his beautiful dreams.

Since 2018, he has been nursing the ambition of becoming the number one citizen of Rivers State. But it appears it may take a long while for the dream to come true.

The Kalabari-born top oil player had resigned from his appointment in 2018 to pursue his aspiration for the number one job in Rivers, as the anointed candidate of a former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.

He has since been working hard to realise this dream, but his paths have been laced with more thorns than roses.

Though he got the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, after so much battle that would have swallowed him, he could not participate in the governorship election, as the Supreme Court nailed the coffin on his ambition.

Tonye Cole’s Ambition Laces with More Thorns

Cole

Oba Ogunwusi

embarrassment was simply unbearable.

A few days after her exit from the palace, some sources revealed that she regretted posting the messages on social media, calling off her union with the king rather than addressing the issues personally with him.

Some had predicted that the matrimonial ‘crisis’ would be settled in no time. But this was not to be as the mother of one has since become a history in the life of the monarch.

A source revealed that one of the reasons Kabiyesi has decided to go into acquiring women is not to be caught off guard by any woman anymore.

The court had ruled that the name of the party should be expunged from the March 2, 2019 governorship election.

Though the foregoing may not be news anymore, it seems that history is about to repeat itself, as the court has, once again, thrown yet another spanner in his works.

A Federal High Court, last Tuesday in Port Harcourt, nullified all primary elections for all candidates of the party for the 2023 general election.

The suit instituted by one George Orlu and five other persons claimed they were unlawfully excluded from the Congresses conducted to elect delegates to the party primary. But a source disclosed that it is too early to conclude that Cole would not participate in the election, as his party members have vowed to appeal the judgment.

Political watchers in the state maintain, however, that getting the number one job in the state will not be a tea affair for him.

When Taiwo Afolabi Lit up the Social Milieu Four years ago, Yinka, son of celebrated businessman, Taiwo Afolabi, married his beautiful heartthrob, amidst pomp and ceremony.

The wedding, for obvious reasons, was the talk of the town for a long time.

Afolabi, between then and now, has honoured invitations to countless wedding ceremonies at home and abroad. But it will not be wrong to state that one of the secret desires of the businessman is to witness another day when he can gladly reenact the event of four years ago, even in a more elaborate way. Interestingly, his prayers seemed to have been answered when his beautiful daughter, Mariam, and her lover, Qudus, came home to express their intentions to live as husband and wife for the rest of their lives. It was one piece of news that had gladdened the heart of the businessman and the Chairman of Sifax Group.

Pronto, preparations began! For him, no stone must be left unturned to make the day

most memorable for his daughter. As soon as the family began to send out the colourful invites, bearing some very romantic notes, there suddenly began a buzz over the planned wedding.

After several weeks of planning, Afolabi, on October 22, 2022, played host to eminent personalities from across the country when his daughter bade bye to spinsterhood, as she was joined in one of the most well-attended weddings with her love at the Marriott Hotels, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. The ceremonies, no doubt, lit up the social milieu.

For the Afolabis, the year 2022 will be given a prominent mention in their memoirs someday.

The hall, which was filled to the brim, bore lovely décor, which must have also gulped some millions of Naira. It was accentuated by the presence of gaily dressed guests, who walked into the hall with majestic splendour.

Mr and Mrs Afolabi

NTDC DG, Folorunsho Coker’s Innovation

Coker

All you need to know that Folorunsho Folarin Coker, otherwise known as Folly Coker, is the brains needed to bring further development to the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation is the recently launched Tour Nigeria initiative, an ambitious attempt at making Nigeria a major destination for tourism, hospitality, arts and entertainment in Africa. It was launched in Lagos last week.

Hardworking Folorunsho Folarin-Coker

is known for working wonders wherever fate had placed him in the public service in the past years. By all measures, he is no doubt an accomplished man. His status makes him the envy of many as he towers far and above many of his contemporaries.

Even in his everyday life, his profile is continually on the rise. It is easily agreed that he is blessed with the proverbial Midas touch!

Since he was appointed as the Director General Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC he continued to bring development with an ambitious attempt at making Nigeria a major destination for tourism, hospitality, arts and entertainment in Africa.

Last Tuesday NTDC launched a new product to reinvent the nation’s tourism industry.

Announcing the innovation, Folarin- Coker, stated that the product is being launched to

utilise the potential of tourism for economic growth. “Across the world, tourism has evolved to become one of the fastest-growing industries. This growth has been driven by the deployment of advanced technology in travel and increased holiday culture. Indeed, the opportunities embedded in tourism are enormous.

“However, to fully utilise the potential of tourism for economic growth, we recognize that we cannot revert to the old ways of working, there is an urgent need to reflect and rethink what we do and how we do it.

Therefore, we have identified the need to deploy technological solutions for sectoral growth across the tourism value chain in Nigeria.

“With over 147 million active internet subscriptions and a teledensity of almost 97%, we have a ready-made and vast domestic market for tourism development locally.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

30. 10.2022

Chijioke Onuora’s Marks of Dexterity and Spontaneity Despite his over three decades of art practice and renown as a trailblazer of the Nsukka Art School, Chijioke Onuora’s first-ever solo exhibition in Lagos marks a turning point in his career. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

I

sn't it strange that Chijioke Onuora's debut solo show in Lagos is taking place at a time when, according to an unspoken agreement, activities in the visual arts scene tend to reach a fever pitch?

True: the choice of the Yaba-based Centre for Contemporary Art as the venue of this exhibition hardly qualifies as a grand entrance into the Lagos art scene. Nonetheless, the venue has an aura of exclusivity due to its history of hosting artists who are respected in the art world.

Speaking of the exhibition, which is titled Chijioke Onuora: Mark Making, it captures the essence of this undeniably leading dramatis personae from the Nsukka Art School, who just celebrated his 60th birthday on Monday, May 30.

“The exhibition examines the artist's experimentation with drawing in various dimensions, processes, and media,” the Princeton University, US-based curator Iheanyi Onwuegbucha says about the show, which opens today (October 30). “In this current body of works, Onuora has combined his multiple studio practice in sculpture, painting, batik, and drawing, in [the] exploration of drawing as a performative ritual of mark making.”

Weaned on the aesthetics of his Igbo cultural legacy, the artist's use of Uli motifs and experimenting with Ichi facial scarifications positions him as a resource person and custodian of a rapidly vanishing ancient civilisation.

As a former student of the renowned painter and art historian Chike Aniakor, he was required to study cultures that were on the verge of extinction in his village. This was how he discovered the shrine objects, which bore the Ichi marks on their faces, in his native Adazi-Ani in Anambra State. Over the years, he would evolve his trademark stylised formal expressions, which have their roots in this period when he was researching these traditional sculptures found in his hometown.

A word about Ichi: it is a face scarification rite popular among the Igbo people that qualifies wearers for induction into the aristocratic Nze na Ozo society, as reflected by the Igbo name for a titled chieftain, "Ichie." This tradition, which Onuora once explained “waned with the advent of Christian colonisation, was preserved by the shrine art objects...

The research brought me closer to the works, and I began to draw inspiration from them to create art. This was the genesis of my incursion into the Uli art.”

There is no doubt about the overwhelming influence of Uli art, which is the bedrock of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka lecturer’s studio practice. These vanishing art forms are

Neighbours IV, charcoal on white cotton fabric, 2022

Ndi Gbulu Ichi, 2022, wood installation

Ndi Gbulu Ichi, 2022, wood installation... detail

brimming with ancestral precepts as condensed metaphors. If they rework themselves into modern contexts as a way of making sense of the present-day confusion, it is because the artist has

recognised that the true progress of a people can only be rooted in their own culture. Often, these forms reincarnate in the artist’s studio practice as masklike images (and mostly as faces). “In

other words, the forms and actions are summaries,” he disclosed in an earlier interview.

Thus, this exhibition is not just about Onuora’s adaptation of this dying tradition for its aesthetic ends but also its use as a tool for engaging contemporary issues. In their new life as his illustrations, they focus on trending events, which are mainly political and are sometimes expressed as jokes and proverbs. This inclination, which is a hallmark of the Nsukka Art School, reached a crescendo during the period between 1970 and 2000 through the works of such artists as Chike Aniakor, Obiora Udechukwu, Olu Oguibe, Krydz Ikwuemesi, and Chika Okeke-Agulu. According to Chikaogwu Kanu, one of the Onuora’s acolytes, “Nsukka School [exhibitions] were thematically political.”

Onuora, meanwhile, progressed to learning how to draw with charcoal from Ghanaian-born art lecturer Seth Anku after early exposure to Obiora Udechukwu's pen and ink drawings, he progressed. Eventually, his trajectory culminated in his PhD degree programme in art history research on the development of the pyrography technique of sculpture production by a slew of renowned artists from the Nsukka Art School. Thanks to this technique, which seemed to resonate with him since he connected it to lines, essential features of draughtsmanship, took his art practice to another level.

This is what Onwuegbucha highlights in his curatorial note as his pushing “the boundaries of drawing by playing with the characters and visual syntaxes of charcoal sticks on paper and fabrics, the burning and lacerations of the angle grinder and router on wood, and brush-applied hot wax-resist on dyed fabrics.”

In his spontaneous meandering and occasionally aggressive lines, Onuora's skilled use of compressed charcoal sticks is visible. Undoubtedly, the Uli-inspired pieces featured in this exhibition, which runs until Saturday, November 19, are eloquent testimonials of his creative philosophy of over three decades, which is typified by forcefully explored lines that proclaim the nation's socio-economic challenges from the rooftops. But they also sum up the artist’s unequalled industry and versatility. Works like the wood installation "Ndi Gbulu Ichi" and the 2-D expressions in the "Neighbours" series, for instance, seethe with the artist's intense creative energy.

Strange as it may sound, this exhibition and the artist’s previous ones – especially Ulukububa, held in 1999, and Akala Unyi in 2014 – barely scratch the surface of how prolific he has been.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

60

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30, 2022

ARTS & REVIEW\\POTPOURRI

Alex Ekwueme's Wisdom from the Beyond Chidorum Nwakanma

I

t is that time again when Nigerians either cogitate or ruminate and even agonise over this land of our forebears.

February 2023 general elections hold JUHDW VLJQLÀFDQFH LQ VHYHUDO DUHDV ,W will either be a paradigm shift or a VWLͿHQLQJ RI WKH VWDWXV TXR ,W LV WKXV appropriate to read a book that addresses the TXHVWLRQ RI WKH PRPHQW :KLWKHU 1LJHULD" $OH[ (NZXHPH·V :KLWKHU 1LJHULD Thoughts on Democracy, Politics, and the Constitution, contains 22 essays that represent far-reaching insights and thoughts on politics and public policy in Nigeria. Reading it is like hearing a voice from the beyond with all the wisdom of the ages. The twenty-two essays in this book cover a broad range of issues and the years 1992-2000. They communicate that (NZXHPH PDGH FULWLFDO DQG VLJQLÀFDQW FRQWULEXtions to the birthing of the Fourth Republic.

Ekwueme’s collection of essays follows best SUDFWLFHV LQ RͿHULQJ D GLVWLQFW SRLQW RI YLHZ that enables the reader to situate himself in the Nigerian milieu and its challenges. It is a PLUURU DQG D UHÁHFWLRQ RQ RXU WDNH RͿ SRLQW and where we are now twenty years after.

Most Nigerians can see themselves herein and remember where they were at each of the points in the book.

'U $OH[ (NZXHPH LV HPLQHQWO\ TXDOLÀHG LQ theory and practice to speak on these topics.

The erudite gentleman bagged six degrees, including two doctorates in his lifetime. He had a broad cosmopolitan worldview and saw provision and privation. He was the ÀUVW HOHFWHG 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW RI 1LJHULD LQ WKH Second Republic.

The military governments of General Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida detained Ekwueme for six years after they overthrew the Shehu Shagari-Alex Ekwueme government. They found nothing on him, yet kept him, as second-in-command in jail while Shehu Shagari, captain of the team, enjoyed house arrest!

"During the incarceration, I had plenty of time on my hands. I was very much worried about Nigeria and her future. I considered the situation where elected civilian governments could be sacked at will by the military to be unsatisfactory and unacceptable. I concluded that military intervention could only be stopped if we put in place a form or structure that would ensure the involvement of representative Nigerians from all geopolitical zones of the country at the highest level of national governance", Ekwueme states as background.

The essays in this book include ‘More than a

BOOK COVER Government of National Consensus’, ‘Restructuring the Nigerian Polity’, ‘Political Fair Play and National Reconciliation’, ‘Some Thoughts on the Crisis in Nigerian Education’, and ‘FaFLOLWDWLQJ :RPHQ V 3DUWLFLSDWLRQ LQ 1LJHULD V Political Structure’.

Other subjects, all still pertinent and present, include ‘The Changing Face of Nigerian FedHUDOLVP :KLFK :D\ )RUZDUG"· ¶5HOLJLRQ DQG Politics in Nigeria’, ‘Nigeria's Federal Constitutions and the Search for "Unity in Diversity", and ‘Democratization of the Nigerian Polity’.

In "More than a government of National Consensus", Ekwueme states his credentials.

"Having put my life at possible risk at Bonny Camp, Kirikiri, and Ikoyi prisons, I consider that I have as much stake as any other Nigerian in the unity, indivisibility, stability, and survival of this country and that I am not altogether LOO TXDOLÀHG WR SDVV RQ D IHZ ZRUGV RI DGYLFH , ZLOO FRQVLGHU P\ GXW\ GRQH LI , SURͿHU WKH advice; the burden will then be our collective if we fail to consider the words of advice properly'.

Ekwueme performs a momentous duty of sharing his advice of many years herein. The IRUPHU 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW LWHPL]HV WKH FULWLFDO LVVXHV UHTXLULQJ UHVROXWLRQ LQ 1LJHULD WR LQFOXGH L WKH QDWLRQDO TXHVWLRQ LL WKH IHGHUDO VWUXFWXUH of Nigeria, (iii) the local government structure, (iv) the economic situation, (v) the military TXHVWLRQ YL WKH SROLWLFDO TXHVWLRQ DQG WKH rigidity of the constitution and (vii) conciliar federal executive and the doctrine of collegiality.

He proposed "a conciliar Presidency made up RI D 3UHVLGHQW DQG VL[ 9LFH 3UHVLGHQWV FKRVHQ

one from each of the six regions of the country" to "operate as a council based on collegiality and true consensus". The President would directly VXSHUYLVH WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI 'HIHQFH 3ROLFH $ͿDLUV DQG WKH 6WDWH 6HFXULW\ 6HUYLFHV ZKLOH WKH 9LFH Presidents would supervise ministries and departments grouped in some order.

6HFXULW\ ,QWHUQDO $ͿDLUV ([WHUQDO $ͿDLUV and Justice 1DWLRQDO (FRQRP\ )LQDQFH &HQWUDO %DQN and National Planning Commission ,QIUDVWUXFWXUH :RUNV 7UDQVSRUW DQG &RPmunications 6RFLDO 6HUYLFHV (GXFDWLRQ +HDOWK ,QIRUPDWLRQ <RXWK 6SRUWV &XOWXUH DQG 6RFLDO :HOIDUH 0LQHUDO 5HVRXUFHV DQG (QHUJ\ 3HWUROHXP Mines, Power, and Steel 3URGXFWLRQ $JULFXOWXUH ,QGXVWU\ 6FLHQFH and Technology, Employment and Labour.

0RUHRYHU KH VXJJHVWV WKDW WKH 9LFH 3UHVLdents "should be elected independently (of the President) from their regions, and their election should take place a week or a fortnight before the election of the President. This would PHDQ WKDW WKH 9LFH 3UHVLGHQWV QHHG QRW EH RI the same party as the President, and their HOHFWLRQ ZRXOG QRW RQO\ UHÁHFW WKH SROLWLFDO wishes of each region, but their participation in the Presidency would elicit the support of the entire country".

Similar bold and "strange" (his words) proposals ÀOO WKH SDJHV RI WKLV ERRN (NZXHPH VXJJHVWHG the six regions grouping of Nigeria that has QRZ EHFRPH SDUW RI WKH FRXQWU\ V VWUXFWXUH :LOO his suggestion of a conciliar system someday FRPH WR SDVV" &RQFLOLDU PHDQV UHODWLQJ WR RU proceeding from a council" and originated in ecclesiastical tradition. ,Q 5HVWUXFWXULQJ WKH 1LJHULDQ 3ROLW\ ÀUVW presented on March 21, 1994, Ekwueme sugJHVWHG DPRQJ RWKHUV 5HFRQVWLWXWLQJ 1LJHULD LQWR D WUXH IHGHUDWLRQ RI VL[ UHJLRQV ZLWK ÀYH national cities", and "allocation of a larger share of national revenue to the oil-producing states/ regions". The second is now in place with the 13% derivation to oil-producing states!

Restructuring features consistently in most of WKH VXEPLVVLRQV 7KH IRUPHU 93 ZDV FDQGLG Chapter 3 (pages 23-59) is a primer focusing on Nigeria's political structure and all the contending ideas around federalism, confederalism, unitary government, and presidential and parliamentary systems. He recounts on page 29 the long history of attempted secession and the actual secession that Nigeria crushed.

Nwakanma is on the Adjunct Faculty of the School of Media & Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.

Read full Article online - www.thisdaylive.com

40 Years on, Koleman Revolutionaire Still Sparkles

“E

ach time l look at my archive l am stunned.

I feel like we haven't released half of what Jah has deposited inside of me, trust me. You know I'm a multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer so I often produce myself and others with regards to music. I have a large number of unreleased materials that I would be happy to push out as Jah permits. It's some of my best works yet.”

7KDW LV YLQWDJH 3XSD 2ULWV :LOOLNL VSHDNLQJ WR PH on telephone, on his forthcoming double album launch, scheduled for November 11, 2022 at the MUSON Centre as part of his 40th year on stage celebration. The master artiste will also be bestowing what he terms, Legendary awards on 12 notable musicians in Nigeria. They include King Sunny Ade, Bongos Ikue, Ebenezer Obey, Alhaji Kollington, Onyeka Onwenu, Bright Chimezie, Sir Shina Peters, Alhaja Salawa Abeni, Dr. Tee Mac lseli, , Emma Ogosi, Eleru Stella Monye and a posthumous award to Amb. Osayomore Joseph.

“Let's celebrate them now that they are alive because they laid the foundation of our booming music industry today. These people devoted their lives to bringing smile and laughter to people through their creativity. It’s sad that Osayomore Joseph is no more. But we have to give honour to who it is due.”

As the call ends, your mind does a summersault, bringing back in bold relief, the reggae icon fondly called Koleman Revolutioaire…

His entry into the Nigerian music scene at a time

ANNIVERSARY reggae was in ascendancy, was unobtrusive. He was WRR FRRO WRR FDOP WRR JHQWOH WR ÀW LQWR WKH PRXOG of the dreadlocked sabre-rattling reggae artistes of the day who wanted to “bring down Babylon.”

Not that he did not subscribe to “Babylon as the cause of the problems of the world” and should be done away with or at least reformed. Indeed, WR KLP UHYROXWLRQ LV WKH RQO\ ZD\ RXW :LWK ORQJ braids dropping almost to his waist, his voice cool as cucumber, he advocates revolution as the way out. But it is revolution devoid of violence, warts and all…

These have been the bedrock of his music from KLV GHEXW DOEXP 7ULEXODWLRQ WR &RQTXHURU :KDW·V GLV :KDW·V WKDW ZKLFK HDUQHG KLP WKH KLJKHVW income) among others. The revolution which he HVSRXVHV LV EDVHG RQ IRXU SODQNV 7KH VSLULWXDO revolution that makes you what you are; understanding the essence of the supernatural force DQG PLOLWDQW ÀJKWHU ZKR GHVSLVHV YLROHQFH DQG embraces divine love. ‘’I believe that even when \RX ÀJKW IRU \RXU ULJKW LI \RX HPSOR\ YLROHQFH you might die and lose the purpose for which you fought.’’ he told me at an earlier interview. ‘’The love that I preach I call ‘’Inity’’ (unity), the type -HVXV SUDFWLFHG E\ FRPLQJ DQG VDFULÀFLQJ KLV OLIH ·· He also believes strongly in the right of every RQH WR OLYH +HUH KLV ÀJKW LV IRU HTXDO ULJKWV DQG justice. “Many a time when I see men in uniform brutalising somebody, I will stop and intervene.

I hate oppression,’’ he explained.

Wiliki Unsurprisingly he became known as Koleman Revolutionaire, a moniker given to him in France

by Sydney, a friend of his manager who considered him too much of a gentile person. It is an assertion he agrees with. ‘’I have always been a reserved person,’’ he confessed. +LV ÀUVW EDQG ZDV IRUPHG LQ 3DULV FDOOHG 7KH Revolutionaire Band. Unlike many musicians, KLV ÀUVW DOEXP ZDV IXOO\ VSRQVRUHG E\ D )UHQFK company, Alanche’ de’ Lamour. It was what took KLP WR )UDQFH LQ WKH ÀUVW LQVWDQFH ,Q 1LJHULD Polygram handled the release and marketing. ‘’Many Nigerians never believed a Nigerian could present reggae in that format,’’ he said of the reception of the music. “Many thought it was a Jamaican artiste.’’

2QRNR ZULWHV IURP $EXMD

Read full Article online - www.thisdaylive.com

SHOWS

Tiffany-Annabelle Davies

7L;DQ\ $QQDEHOOH 6KRZV 8QÀOWHUHG 5HDOLW\ RI 1LJHULD LQ Deconstruction of Coat of Arms This her second Nigerian solo exhibition DQG 7LͿDQ\ $QQDEHOOH 'DYLHV WLWOHV LW Behind the Coat. In this exhibition, which opened yesterday (Saturday, October 29 DW 0LOLNL RQ 9LFWRULD ,VODQG /DJRV VKH deconstructs the Nigerian Coat of Arms as a metaphor of the current state of Nigeria. Through the deconstruction of this emblem of national unity, the artist thinks that it belies the prevailing atmosphere of mutual distrust in the country.

She explores this idea, screen-printing with acrylics on canvas, all while maintaining her signature style in the use of triangles. Although she enters new territory in terms of her medium, she vastly explores the dichotomy between national excellence and a struggling nation by using the Coat of Arms as a metaphor.

The self-taught artist, who holds a University of Surrey, UK degree in law, expresses her disillusionment about the nation’s failure to keep its mission of FRKHVLRQ 7KURXJK WKH RͿHULQJV LQ WKLV exhibition, she dredges up the frustrations of Nigerians and their sentiments about the national symbol, which seems to have lost its meanings.

Beneath these sentiments lurks a message of hope depicted in the works, which include the activity wall where collective voices express what they want in a president. The activity piece, which invites the audience’s participation, is being introduced by the artist for the ÀUVW WLPH DIWHU KHU VROG RXW GHEXW VROR exhibition MIssAligned. The statement ZDOO WLWOHG ´$ 3UHVLGHQW 6KRXOG %H µ VKH LQYLWHV DOO YLHZHUV WR ZULWH RXW RQH TXDOLW\ they think a president should have.

The 10 works in the exhibition, which echo her message of possibilities, are tributes to the resilience of the Nigerian.

Besides highlighting the moral issues in the society, the works also include such themes as strength, dignity, and beauty, which are visible in her employment of certain elements of the Coat of Arms in her work. Above all, the Itsekiri-born artLVW DFNQRZOHGJHV WKH ÁDZV DQG VWUHQJWKV of the country and its people by evoking emotion through an often-overlooked emblem.

For her, She started drawing at the age of six and has also explored creative graphic design, being self-taught in Photoshop and Illustrator. She recently started pursuing art full-time and has since sold-out her debut exhibition entitled MissAligned. $ERXW 7L;DQ\ $QQDEHOOH Visitor Information $GPLVVLRQ )UHH 'DWH WK 2FWREHU WK 1RYHPEHU

2SHQLQJ WLPHV SP Press Information For more information, interviews, and LPDJHV FRQWDFW 1WLDQX 2ELRUD ntianu@tiltcollective.com

61

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

CICERO

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

Terror Alerts: Jittery Abuja Braces Itself as Foreign Govts Warn Last week, residents of the Federal Capital Territory became jittery following successive security alerts by foreign missions. Louis Achi writes that the security agencies’ claim that they are on top of the security situation should be firmly demonstrated in the coming days

I

n a post on its website last Sunday, the US Embassy alerted its citizens that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) stood a high risk of terror attack. The alert said terrorists might target government buildings, places of worship, schools and markets.

Flowing from this development, the US said it would offer reduced services at its embassy in the FCT until further notice and asked its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel and review security plans.

On Monday, the UK also updated its terrorism alert to its citizens in Nigeria. The British High Commission in Abuja said only critical staff would be allowed access to its facility on Monday.

Following the alerts issued by the US and UK, the governments of Canada, Germany, Bulgaria, Ireland and Denmark have cautioned their citizens against non-essential travel to Abuja and other parts due to the “unpredictable” security situation.

In response to the security alerts, the Department of State Services (DSS) called for calm. In a statement, it explained: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has received several enquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, today, 23/10/22.

The public may recall that the service had variously issued similar warnings in the past.

“While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them.

“Meanwhile, the service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja.”

However, the residents of Abuja are on edge with some schools and commercial business organisations shut.

While the DSS correctly recognised and essentially aligned itself with the security alerts issued by the three foreign governments, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, curiously took off at another tangent, labelling the terror alerts as unverified and misleading.

The minister faulted the intelligence of the UK High Commission, US Embassy and and the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria. In his characteristic style, he pushed the position that all was well, peddling dangerous disinformation

while specific danger looms. By pushing this misleading narrative, the minister who plays politics with virtually anything that seems to indict the federal government, also unwittingly faulted the position of the DSS. Speaking at a ministerial session of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Week in Abuja, last week, the minister shamelessly argued that the security alerts aimed at saving the lives of innocent Nigerians and foreigners were unnecessary as they were creating panic in the polity.

Mohammed had also last week argued that the military and other security agencies have continued to do everything possible to secure and protect Nigerians and foreigners living in Nigeria, insisting that terrorists have been hard hit and put on the run while bandits have been decimated and scattered.

But yet in another security alert-cum-travel advisory midweek, tagged “Nigeria Level 3,” the US government warned its citizens to avoid traveling to 14 states due to insecurity. The states are: Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe in North-east; Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara in North-west; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states in South-south.

It warned their citizens should not travel to due to what it called: “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime.” However, no state was mentioned in North-central, Southwest and South-east zones.

Many analysts have described the federal gov-

ernment’s position as the height of grandstanding. They said all the Nigerians was supposed to do was rise to the occasion by responding to the security advisory and engaging the foreign countries issuing the advisories and work collaboratively to prevent security breaches.

Talking about intelligence, these are top countries. The arrest of terrorists also confirms the credibility of the intelligence. The federal government ought to have responded to this early warning signal by engaging the Pentagon on how it could be helped and asked for the intelligence, not just grandstand.

However, intelligence operatives, who spoke on anonymity, told THISDAY that “the security alerts issued by the UK and US missions, were intended to diminish milestone achievements the intelligence community and other security agencies are making to secure the country, notwithstanding emergent security challenges which were not peculiar to Nigeria.

“Already, the security agencies have performed exceeding well in recent times, in terms of interception of calls, arrest of terrorists commanders and elimination of their fighters.

“It is unfortunate that while we share security advisories with the embassies on the need for security consciousness, just as we occasionally announce in public statements, these foreign missions use the same to compromise our security efforts.

“What they did is deliberate, considering that we have been transparent and responsible in

providing regular security advisory, especially as we are approaching an election year. They are aware that our recently upgraded military platforms and sophisticated digital technology tools have been assisting security agencies in curbing terrorism and violent crimes across the country “There are certain successes recorded that cannot be publicly disclosed to avoid jeopardising or compromising national security. Since security matters are highly-strategic and confidential, we don’t go about explaining our vendors who supplied them or the processes and strategies to anyone or the media.”

But it would be recalled that under the current administration, no fewer than 53,418 Nigerians lost their lives to terrorists and foreign killer herdsmen between May 29, 2015 and October 15, 2022, according to data from the Nigerian Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations of the US. Meanwhile, on the heels of the successive security alerts, the DSS, in collaboration with Nigeria Army operatives last week uncovered boxes of explosives and two pistols in an apartment rented by a terrorist in Trademore Estate located in Lugbe, Abuja. This was contained in a notice issued by the Trademore Estate management to occupants on Wednesday warning them to know their neighbours.

According to the estate management, “It’s no longer news that there was a High Powered Sting Operation in Phase 3 this afternoon, culminating in a complete shutdown of our estate. A combination of the Nigeria Army and DSS team were responsible.

“We are unable to give full details of the reason behind the operation, however, we can confirm that there was an allegation of terrorist activities. It is therefore desperately incumbent on every resident to remain vigilant, KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS and report any suspicious movement, person or activities to the Exco, Street Reps and/the police.

“We will continue to do our utmost best to keep the estate safe for all of us. Everyone is responsible for security and there should be no iota of abdication of this responsibility.”

It is unfortunate that a minister does not realise that well-grounded security alerts and travel advisories by foreign missions to their citizens can also benefit host governments as informed tip-offs on intending attacks. The emerging consensus is that it needn’t provoke prickly reactions from the host nation.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

What Does Wike Really Want?

Wike Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, can never stop being in the news. Last week, he said he would not campaign for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, because he is working with “enemies of the state”.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Rivers PDP campaigncouncilinPortHarcourt,WikesaidAtikupicked peoplefromRiversasmembersofthePDPPresidential Campaign Council without any input from him.

“ThepresidentialcandidateenteredRiversStateand picked those he wants to pick without the contribution of the governor. So, they said they don’t need me to campaign for them. They don’t need Rivers people to campaign for them. Will you force yourself on them?

I have never seen how people will disrespect a state

like Rivers State and go and choose those who are enemies of the state, without the contribution from us,” he said.

Imagine the governor calling Uche Secondus, Austin Opara, Celestine Omehia, Abiye Sekibo and other eminent indigenes “enemies of the state” when in fact, a request was made for him to appoint people into the campaign council but he turned it down.

Even other governors in his camp appointed people from their states into the campaign council.

It is a fact that sinceWike lost the presidential ticket ofthePDPandthevicepresidentialslot,hehasrefused to be placated. Under the pretext of clamouring for justice and equity in the party, he has utilised the enormous resources at his disposal to galvanise

four other governors to create a crisis in the party.

Their position is that the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu must step down because Ayu and Atiku cannot come from the North.

While he has doggedly held to this position, in another breath in a viral video recently, he complained that Delta and Imo states have been given positions, leavingoutRiversState.Hehasbecomesoinconsistent that nobody really knows what he wants.

When the Rivers governor and his group were appointedtojointhePDPpresidentialcampaigncouncil, they declined, insisting that Ayu must resign first.

Yet, he is saying that Atiku picked people from his state into the presidential campaign council without consulting him when he has refused to be placated.

62

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

BRIEFINGNOTES When Danjuma Spoke as Insider in the Military Having possibly spoken as an insider with credible intelligence at his disposal, a former Minister of Defence, retired Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma’s outbursts that foreign invaders are on a killing spree in the country should not be dismissed with a wave of the hand, Ejiofor Alike reports

F

or the umpteenth time, a call last week made a former Minister of Defence, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), to Nigerians to rise up and defend themselves against bandits.

Many prominent Nigerians, including governors had made a similar call but Danjuma’s case was particularly special, given the sensitive positions he had occupied in the military and the government.

Speaking at the coronation and presentation of Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Manu Ishaku Ada Ali, the 25th Aku Uka Wukari, Danjuma asked Nigerians to find out how bandits get arms so that they could have theirs for self-defence. Last week’s call was the second time the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) urged Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands and stop relying on the Armed Forces to defend them from the bandits who are trying to overrun the country and dispossess the indigenous people of their lands.

Danjuma’s kinsmen Wukari and Takum local government areas have gone through many wars that took many lives and displaced many people with their neighbours - Kuteb and the Chamba, as well as Tiv settlers. Tired of the perennial conflicts, the combatants submitted to some accommodation arrangements that restored some delicate peace.

But a new development that would disrupt the peace of the area soon reared its head.

It was the conflict with the Fulani pastoralists over trespass on farmlands. It would develop into full-scale armed violence with the indigenous Chamba, Kuteb, and Jukun communities being worsted and sacked.

Meanwhile, the people began to see a link between the rise in the intensity of the attacks and the ascension to office by President Muhammadu Buhari, suggesting that the invaders had been emboldened by not just his presence but also the seeming kid glove with which the belligerents had been treated. Apparently tired of holding the people down in the face of official negligence that aided the free reign of the attackers, Danjuma in a rare outburst in March 2018 raised the first alarm that there was an attempt at ethnic cleansing in the country by herdsmen and asked Nigerians to resist it.

The former defence minister, who then spoke in Jalingo at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University, accused the Armed Forces of colluding with armed bandits. He charged Nigerians to defend themselves before they were completely exterminated.

He pointedly accused the military of complicity in the killing of farmers by herdsmen.

He said: “There is an attempt at ethnic cleansing in the state and of course, in some riverine and rural states in Nigeria. We must resist it. We must stop it. Every one of us

Danjuma must rise up.

“Our Armed Forces are not neutral. They collude with the armed bandits to kill people, kill Nigerians. The Armed Forces guide their movements. They cover them. If you are depending on the Armed Forces to stop the killings, you will all die one by one,” he reportedly explained.

He was however accused of raising a false alarm after a panel set up by the military authorities concluded that there was no evidence to support his allegation.

But as a former insider with deep knowledge of military operations, Danjuma has remained convinced that the intelligence at his disposal is very credible.

So, despite the attempt by the military authorities to rubbish his earlier allegation, he still renewed his message last week, insisting that his earlier call was taken for granted, and also stressing that the result was clear for everyone to see.

He said that the biggest black country in the world was under siege by terrorists who

were trying to root out the citizens.

“As a soldier, the best defence is attack.

Right now, we are all sitting ducks. These people are armed to the teeth with weapons of mass destruction but we don’t have them.

We have the numbers and the land belongs to us. They are trying to colonise us and take over our lands. Your majesty, you must unite our people to defend themselves.

“I will not give you arms. Find out how the people who have it got it and use the same means to acquire arms and defend yourselves. This beautiful land called Nigeria is being brought to ruin by absolutely useless criminals. How do they get here? We know some of them may even be here. My prayer is that God Almighty that has given us this land will give us the courage to face these enemies and chase them out. This we must do, otherwise, Nigeria is finished.

“We must find out the source of the arms of terrorists; Nigerians should equally find a means of arming themselves to face the terrorists,” he said.

He recalled that when he accused the military of colluding with terrorists, he was called a liar, adding that Nigerians have realised the truth.

He said after his statement in 2018, a “Kangaroo panel” was set up by the military and he was invited to defend what he said but he refused to appear before the panel.

“In 2018 when I called on the people to defend themselves, a kangaroo commission of enquiry was set up to investigate and they said I was lying because there was no evidence.

“Today in the country, there is evidence everywhere; the foreign bandits are killing and taking over lands in all the places,” he added.

Danjuma has a very rich military background and must have spoken about the military and the state of insecurity in the country from the point of knowledge.

The retired officer became a General Officer Commanding (GOC) in 1975, and was appointed Chief of Army Staff in 1976, a position he held until he retired in 1979.

After his retirement from the military, he still served as the Chairman of the Presidential Policy Advisory Committee in 1999; the Minister of Defence (19992003) and the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council in 2010. With the positions he had held, Danjuma knows why the Nigerian Armed Forces have not successfully rooted out the bandits that wreak havoc in the North-central, particularly his home state of Taraba and Benue State. The former military chief knows what most Nigerians do not know on why foreign herdsmen have turned Benue State into a killing field, slaughtering farmers and dispossessing them of their lands without a proportionate reaction from the military.

In his ‘sympathy’ message to the people of Gbeji community in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue State, over the recent killing of 39 people in the area by herdsmen, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar added a subtly threat when he reportedly wrote that: “When our people are well integrated into communities where they live, work, pay taxes and raise their children, they would be obligated to reciprocate the love and acceptance.”

Of course, the people of Benue have since rejected his sympathy message, describing it as a mockery.

So, is there an agenda to annihilate the landowners unless they surrender their lands and integrate the foreigners? Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom has repeatedly alleged that there is.

Danjuma has also called on Nigerians to rise up and chase out the enemies taking over people’s lands. With his military knowledge, he should be taken seriously, otherwise “Nigeria is finished,” according to him.

NOTES FOR FILE

FG Forced to Speak up on Flood Disaster

Adamu

The federal governmentlastweekbrokeitsdeafening silenceabouttheplightofNigeriansravaged,killed,and renderedhomelessbyfloodswhenPresidentMuhammaduBuharidirectedtheMinisterofWaterResources, Suleiman Adamu, to find a solution to the calamity.

Withtheragingdisasterofanationalmagnitude,the governmenthadmaintainedaworrisomeandunfeeling silence and rather jetted out of the country a few days ago to London and Seoul. With the death of over 600 citizens,overtwomilliondisplacedpersons,andhundreds ofthousandsoflosthomes,Buharionlyspokethroughan aide,promptingNigerianstoaskwhatextentofdamage wouldmovehimtoaddressthecountryandassuagethe feelings of the distressed citizens.

Itisindeedsadthatittookthepresidentialcandidate

of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi to call out the federal governmentoveritsdisturbingsilencebeforeitrealised that this was a serious issue.

Obi’s message was that the magnitude of the flood disasterwasmorethanwhatwouldbeleftinthehands ofstategovernmentstotackle.Hespecificallycalledon President Buhari to step up action on what needs to be done to intervene for the distraught Nigerians.

ThemessagefromObiandthereactionsofthepeople of Nigeria expressing anger at the federal government over the neglect seem to have boxed the government into a corner.

Not even at the weekly Federal Executive Council meetingwasanythingconcreteheardfromthefederal government on a wide-scale intervention or sympathy

visits envisaged.

ButlastMonday,hehaddirectedtheMinisterforWater Resources,SuleimanAdamu,accordingtoastatement by his media aide, Garba Shehu to find a solution to the calamity.

Though the president didn’t give details of what concrete actions he wants to be taken, he directed the ministertomapoutplanswithin90daysonhowtofind alastingsolutiontothefloodsthathavebecomeregular in the recent years.

Regarding assistance to the victims, the president never uttered a word. Not even a word of comfort until lastWednesdaywhenMinistryofHumanitarianAffairs, Disaster Management and Social Development said it had distributed relief items to 21 states.

63

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

CICERO/ISSUES

Buhari’s Legacy and Tinubu’s Campaign With the pledge by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, to build on the legacy of the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, if elected in 2023, many Nigerians are waiting to see the effect of his campaign, given their reservations about the current administration, writes Adedayo Akinwale

Buhari

W

ith the All Progressives Congress (APC) ready to go full blast with its campaigns, President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to lead the charge and ensure that the presidential candidate of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu is delivered in 2023. Buhari gave the assurance when he inaugurated the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and unveiled the action plan of its presidential candidate in Abuja.

He said: “It is on this note that I want to rally all our party members behind our candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu, in our determination to continue to lead this country so that we can consolidate on our achievements and do more.”

The president was of the opinion that it would be disastrous to allow a situation that would lead to the reversal of what he described as the progress the country has made.

Buhari added: “Let me add that I joyfully accept the position of the chairman of the campaign council we are unveiling today. Our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is too well known for his capacity and can-do spirit. He stands tall in his track records as a democrat, a champion of the rule of law, a man at home in every part of our country, and a truly visionary leader. I, therefore, want to assure all party members and supporters of our government that I will be at the forefront of this campaign.

“This election is even more important than the election of 2015 that brought us into power. The costs of losing the gains our country has made are much more than the need to stop the haemorrhage that led to our coming together nearly nine years ago,” Buhari added.

Prior to the long-awaited inauguration, the spokesperson of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan had mockedTinubu, saying that his party had nothing to show as its achievements, hence the failure to kick-start their campaign.

He said the acceptance of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, as seen at the Kaduna rally had thrown his opponents into panic mode. He further pointed out that the opponents who had resorted to sending armed thugs to disrupt PDP’s campaigns in Kaduna, and the closure of media organisations in Zamfara State were displaying their fears over the acceptance of Atiku and his laid-out plans for Nigerians ahead of 2023 elections.

“It is on record that Atiku remains the only candidate who has taken his message of hope

Tinubu to five out of six geo-political zones and, who has received huge turn-out at every port of call so far.

It is important for Nigerians to note that the APC and its presidential candidate, Tinubu, have nothing to offer other than their records of failures for the past seven years,” he posited.

However, as the ruling party rolls out its campaigns in full force, the question on the lips of many is whether Tinubu will campaign on the acclaimed achievements of Buhari or his achievements while he was the governor of Lagos State.

There had been attempts by the federal government’s critics to blame Tinubu for some of the failings of Buhari’s administration, especially in the areas of security and economy. They argued that if the APC presidential candidate had not foisted Buhari on Nigerians, he would not have won the elections that brought untold hardship to the people.

Recently, a former National Chairman of APC and the Deputy Director General of PCC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole had argued that Tinubu cannot be held responsible for the performance of the administration of Buhari since he never participated in governance at any level in the current federal administration. He stressed that it would be unfair for anyone to hold Tinubu responsible for the performance, policies, and policy implementation of the current government.

Also, the Spokesperson of the PCC, Festus Keyamo, recently said the party had every right to campaign based on the records of its presidential candidate in Lagos State.

According to him, “the economy and the government Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been reputed to be more in control of and be the leader of is that of Lagos State which is also an APC government. So we have every right to campaign with the records of Lagos State.”

During the 2015 general election, Buhari promised to fight corruption, defeat terrorism and fix the economy. But seven and a half years down the line, observers believe that things have become worse.

Before 2015, Boko Haram insurgents held the North-east part of the country hostage. So, many Nigerians believed that if a ‘no-nonsense’ Buhari assumed the leadership of the country, insecurity would be a thing of the past. But at the moment, not only have terrorists continued to wreak havoc in North-east, North-central and South-west, bandits also kidnap for ransom, while herdsmen have ensured that farmers do not access to their farms, with unknown gunmen also ravaging the South-east.

The Boko Haram insurgents that were restricted to the North-east under former President Goodluck Jonathan have turned into a monster under Buhari.

The terrorist attack in Owo Catholic Church in Ondo State, killing over 40 people; the KadunaAbuja train attack; the attack on the Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre, Abuja leading to the freeing of 66 Boko Haram Commanders and the attack on Guards Brigade troops both at Dutse and Zuma Rock in Abuja, which led to the death of some soldiers and officers, were some of the frightening incidents. Even President Buhari’s convoy was attacked, an indication that nowhere is safe in the country.

It was against this background that the acclaimed Global and International Terrorism Research/ Analysis group which specialises in collating data on terrorist activities worldwide recently disclosed that Nigeria was the second most attacked and terrorised country in the world after Iraq, while Syria is the third.

In addition, corruption remains intractable.

Buhari’s anti-corruption fight rests on a tripod: Implementation of Treasury Single Account, Biometric Verification Number (BVN) and ‘Whistle Blowing’ policy, which have received commendations.

Sadly, the politicisation of the anti-corruption fight has cast doubt on the fight. In addition, the alleged double standards in Buhari’s treatment of those loyal to him are some examples; as well as party politics of shielding the prosecution of people loyal to those in power. While Oshiomhole was APC chairman, he told defectors from opposition parties to join the governing party and have their ‘sins’ forgiven.

It was no surprise that by the end of 2019 when Buhari was elected for a second term, Nigeria had dropped to 146 and by 2020 ranked 149 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

Moreso, when Buhari took over from Jonathan in 2015, the country’s domestic debt stood at N8.39 trillion. However, with Buhari’s administration’s appetite for borrowing, the country’s debt rose to N41.6 trillion in Q1 2022.

Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to 20.52 per cent in August, the highest since September 2005. The inflation figure rose from 19.64 per cent recorded in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The country’s inflation rate was 9.6 per cent in 2015. The exchange rate in 2015 was N224 to a Dollar, while Naira now exchanges for N742 in the parallel market to a dollar.

Interestingly, the Buhari-led administration

allowed the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to drag on for eight months, while the health sector is virtually on its knees as more than 13,000 health workers including doctors have left for greener pastures in the past two years.

Recently, Nigeria was ranked 103 out of 121 countries in the 2022 Global Hunger Index. The Global Hunger Index was jointly published by the German-based Welthungerhilfe and Dublin-based Concern Worldwide.

The report, which ranks countries by “severity”, gave Nigeria a score of 27.3, a hunger level falling under the “serious” category. The index has five levels of hunger under which each country falls – low, moderate, serious, alarming, and extremely alarming. This is the second consecutive year in which Nigeria’s ranking on the scale remains the same. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, ranked 103 out of 116 countries in 2021 and 98 among 107 countries in 2020.

Though some Nigerians have commended the Buhari’s administration for the giant strides in the area of infrastructures such as the LokoOweto bridge, Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kano Highway, ApapaOworonshoki-Ojota Expressway and the 43km Obajana-Kabba road, many other federal roads across the country are still in deplorable conditions.

This is why observers believe that the failure of the Buhari administration is so monumental that it overshadowed its achievements.

So when Tinubu recently pledged to build on President Buhari’s legacy if elected as president in 2023, many Nigerians were wondering what legacy he planned to. build on.

But sensing the discontentment of Buhari’s performance amongst Nigerians, Tinubu while commissioning an edifice of the APC Presidential/ State Campaign recently said they should not have any regret about the President.

“Don’t have any regret at all. Don’t allow those who don’t know the way to victory, and don’t understand the success of a nation to lie to you about Buhari or anybody. Don’t let them. Throw it back at them. Take your broom firmly and sweep Nigeria clean. This party will receive victory, this country will experience progress, and this office will be filled with joy come February 2023,” he said.

As the ruling party embarks on campaigns ahead of the 2023 elections, it remains to be seen if Tinubu will take a gamble by campaigning on the much-touted Buhari’s achievements or if he would stick to his achievements when he was the governor of Lagos State.

64

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

CICERO/ISSUE

Udofia

Eno

Akpan

2023: Akwa Ibom Voters in Limbo over Guber Candidates With the plethora of court cases against the major governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom State, Etim Etim writes that the people are waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the cases before throwing their weight behind any candidate

W

ith three of the four main governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom State embroiled in serious and career-threatening lawsuits at the Federal High Courts in Uyo and Abuja, voters in the state are waiting with bated breath for the pronouncements of the courts before making informed choice.

For now, the voters do not seem to have a clear sense of who would be the standard bearers of the three parties until these cases are disposed of.

The only contender that is certain to run the race to the end is Senator John James Udoedehe of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). He has no scandal or court case hanging on his neck. Until last March, Udoedehe was the Secretary of the defunct National Caretaker Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He defected to NNPP last May when it dawned on him that the leadership of the party would not offer him the governorship ticket.

But even before Udoedehe left APC, the party in the state was torn apart by a crisis arising from a leadership tussle between him and Senator Godswill Akpabio. It broke into two main factions which resulted in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not monitoring the governorship primary conducted on May 27 by the Akpabio-led faction.

Mr. Akanimo Udofia, a wealthy oil industry contractor, was announced the winner of the Akpabio-backed primary. INEC, however, refused to validate the result, stating that it did not monitor the primary as the Electoral Act 2022 directs.

Other aspirants, notably Senator Ita Enang, former Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari, and Austine Utuk, a businessman, quickly protested and filed lawsuits against Udofia and APC at the Federal High Court, Uyo, challenging the purported emergence of Udofia, among other claims.

Their cases have been progressing steadily and both have been reserved for judgment next month. However, in late September, Senator Enang got wind of information that Udofia had surreptitiously filed another case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, asking the court to compel INEC to recognise him as the APC

governorship candidate. Enang was not made a party in the suit. Worried that Udofia could secure a surprise court judgment behind him, Enang wrote a letter to the Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, Abuja, notifying him that he had already sued Udofia and APC in the Federal High Court in Uyo, and praying the CJ to ensure that he (Enang) be made a party to any such case Udofia might have filed in Abuja.

The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, finally made a judgment for October 6 on whether to compel INEC to accept Udofia as the authentic candidate.

A few weeks earlier, this same judge had given a similar order, compelling INEC to recognise Akpabio as APC candidate in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District even though INEC did not monitor his primary and had refused to validate his nomination. Coincidentally, Akpabio is a major backer of Udofia.

So, when Ita Enang got wind of the impending judgment on October 6, he quickly filed an application at the court in Abuja, seeking to be joined as a party in Udofia’s suit because, as he said in his application, “he is a necessary party in the case.”

At the Federal High Court in Abuja, Enang made his arguments on two sittings — October 17 and 24 on why he should be joined as a party in the Akan Udofia case.

“My Lord, as a trustee of the legal profession, having been in law practice for 38 years, I have not seen a situation where a party who has appeared in a matter, truly defended an action before the same court sitting in a different Judiciary division (Federal High Court, Uyo), would come and surreptitiously file a matter of the same purpose and issues in another division of the same court, and ask the same court to make a declaration forwarding his name to INEC in the same matter he has fully defended and is adjourned for judgment by the same court,” Enang told the court.

He commended the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court for Order 4, Rule 3 of the court practice direction on election

matters, which states that parties must file affidavits of non-multiplicity of suits.

Enang drew the attention of the court to the error committed by the plaintiff, counsel to Akan Udofia and APC when he said, “may it please My Lord to know that counsel to the APC, knowing fully that this case is pending determination in Uyo division of your court and Akanimo Udofia, the second plaintiff in this matter, knowing that this case is pending judgment, having defended himself in the matter as was brought before the court and having filed processes in the effect has also filed an affidavit of non-multiplicity of suit.

The consequence of this crime is that both of them must go to prison for committing perjury.”

Enang has also tendered evidence to show that Udofia was a PDP member who had participated in the PDP governorship primary that was held in Uyo a day before the APC primary. After the feisty arguments by both parties, Justice Nwite reserved judgment on whether Enang should be joined as a party in the case. Facing two lawsuits in Uyo and Abuja, Udofia, therefore, has an uphill task to clear before he could even become a candidate.

In the PDP, the battle is no less fierce.

Its governorship candidate, Mr. Umo Eno, is battling for his political life and reputation at the Federal High Court in Uyo in Suit number FHC /UY/ CS/110/2022 filed

by Mr. Akan Okon, who also contested in the PDP primary. The presiding judge is Justice Agatha Okeke, who is also hearing the Enang’s case against Udofia. Okon is asking the court to disqualify Eno as the PDP governorship candidate because he allegedly forged the two WAEC certificates which he submitted to INEC. Okon came second in the primary conducted on May 25 in Uyo. Adopting his written address on the last day of the court sitting, Okon’s lawyer, Mr. Okey Amaechi (SAN), told the court that having established his case beyond reasonable doubt and on the established standard of proof, the court should nullify the purported nomination of Umo Eno as the governorship candidate of PDP and order that he (Okon) should be substituted as the candidate of PDP having come second in the primary election.

Okon is contending that the June 1981 and

December 1983 WAEC certificates presented

by Eno as the basis for his nomination as the PDP flag bearer were forged, breaching the qualification provision for nomination. He presented several pieces of evidence and called many witnesses.

Eno has denied this charge and has also provided evidence and called witnesses.

The case has gripped voters’ attention in Akwa Ibom, especially since PDP has always governed the state since 1999. Judgment has been reserved for November 28.

Justice Okeke is also hearing a criminal case filed by the EFCC against Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, a ranking Senator who defected in June from the PDP to Young Progressive Party (YPP) to run for governor. The case was filed about three years ago and has been making its way slowly through the court.

First FHC, Lagos, and later transferred to FHC, Uyo. Senator Akpan is charged for allegedly receiving luxury vehicles from a Lagos businessman, Mr. Jide Omokore, as bribes when he (Senator Akpan) was the Commissioner for Finance under Akpabio’s administration.

In the court, Senator Akpan argued that they were gifts, not bribes. But the EFCC is arguing that the vehicles were bribes from Omokore in exchange for lucrative contract deals he got from Senator Akpan. Both parties have called witnesses and provided evidence. Akpan is being defended by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

Again, the people are anxiously awaiting judgment.

With the plethora of court cases against the major governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom, Senator Udoedehe of NNPP who has no scandal or any court case is taking advantage of his opponents’ many legal troubles to make a strong case to the voters to support him.

He has since started his campaigns and has unveiled a 10-point Agenda, which dwells mostly on poverty reduction, job creation and improving the social welfare of the citizens. As Udoedehe is touring the state and campaigning vigorously, his opponents are slugging it out at the courts, while the Akwa Ibom people are eagerly waiting for the verdicts which could change the permutation for next year’s election.

Etim writes from Abuja

65

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

CICERO/ISSUE

More Woes for APC, Amaechi in Rivers For ignoring several warnings to follow the path of justice, the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State is heading to a similar scenario, which led to its disqualification from the 2019 general election, due largely to the failure of the former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to provide fair and just leadership as the undisputed leader of the party in the state, Ejiofor Alike reports

I

a replay of what happened in 2019, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt last Tuesday nullified all the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State. The court gave the verdict while delivering judgment in a suit filed by some aggrieved members of the party who claimed they were excluded from the delegate elections that preceded the APC primaries.

One George Orlu and four others, who claimed to have purchased nomination forms, approached the court requesting that the primaries of APC should be nullified following their alleged exclusion.

In his judgment, Justice E.A. Obile ruled that the persons were unlawfully excluded from the APC primaries. He held that the aggrieved persons were shut out of the primaries unlawfully, describing the process as a nullity.

The judge ruled that all the APC primaries stood nullified and the winners should not be recognised as candidates.

For those who followed the build-up to the 2023 general election in the state, it was not surprising that the court arrived at the verdict.

The current crisis in Rivers APC started last March as soon as Senator Magnus Abe and Pastor Tonye Cole started seeking fresh bids to clinch the governorship ticket of the party for the 2023 election.

The immediate past Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi was said to have stoked the fresh fire when he allegedly rallied the leadership of the party in the state to pick Cole, his close ally and Lagos-based businessman, as its governorship candidate in the state, without any primary election. The development came days after Abe’s declaration to run for the 2023 party ticket was unanimously adopted by his faction of the party, chaired by a former state lawmaker, Golden Chioma.

It was gathered that 10 governorship aspirants from the riverine extraction, including Tonye Princewill and former Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside had signed a pact to support whoever emerged from their faction.

Amaechi who led the faction that controls the party in the state, was said to have earlier asked all the 10 aspirants to halt consultations, to enable his camp to choose a consensus candidate.

Disclosing how the consensus agreement was reached, a former Commissioner for Transport in the state, George Tolofari, who was the arrowhead of consensus arrangement in Amaechi’s camp, stated that 19 leaders of the party met in Abuja with 13 aspirants and unanimously adopted Cole as consensus candidate for the Riverine-Ijaw aspirants.

According to him, Cole would face any other aspirant that might wish to contest the party primaries on the APC. “Nineteen leaders of our dear party met in Abuja with the 13 aspirants and unanimously adopted Tonye Cole as consensus candidate for the Riverine-Ijaw aspirants to face any other aspirant that may wish to contest the party primaries on the APC,” he reportedly said.

But in a swift reaction, the Abe’s faction of APC in the state described the endorsement of Cole as “selfishness in the highest order by the minister of transportation.”

The leader of Abe’s faction, Chioma, said: “Cole does not have our approval. We cannot be with him; the man is not a party man. He is a business associate of the minister of transportation.”

“This entails that selfishness has been taken to the highest order that a man who has no business of playing politics, who has no iota of idea of playing politics is shoved down the throat of his supporters,” Chioma added.

Chioma alleged that Amaechi was backing Cole because of their business dealings, noting that there were “more credible and experienced candidates in the minister’s faction; he did

Amaechi

Cole not endorse them.”

Shortly after Chioma’s reaction, Abe declared that no amount of gang-up would make him drop his ambition to govern the state in 2023 or change the will of the people.

Apparently referring to Amaechi, the former senator noted that the people of the state cannot be enslaved by anyone, and advised his supporters to brace up for the fight ahead, which he vowed would be tough.

The former federal lawmaker, who has since defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he clinched governorship ticket, added that as a democrat, he would always respect the decision of the people if there was a fair and just process.

He however insisted that he would not respect illegal decisions taken by some people.

In his words, “I am a democrat. If there is a fair, and just process by which our people take a decision and it is not me, I will respect that decision. But if people go and gather and do kangaroo and say it is this person or that person, I will not agree. For APC to succeed in this state, we must show a clear, transparent and honest process by which everybody who is entitled to genuinely have a say. If they cook up a process and you think that process will crown a king, you will end up with a king that will never be crowned.”

Also speaking, the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Wogu Boms, added that the endorsement of Cole as the consensus governorship candidate of the party would fail.

“Do not tell me anything; I know everything, we experimented with

Dakuku, we failed spectacularly; we experimented with Tonye Cole, he could not even enter the ballot; we used Awara, we failed woefully again; now we still want to experiment with Tonye Cole again, it will not work,” he added.

Similar tussle between the party’s faction loyal to Amaechi and the camp led by Abe had made the court to disqualify the party from participating in the 2019 general election in the state. At the end, both Cole and Abe lost the party’s ticket.

In 2019, Cole had, with the backing of Amaechi, emerged as the party’s candidate in a similar controversial circumstance. His ambition was aborted by the court, which stopped the state APC from fielding any candidate for the elections due to the irregularities exposed in the primaries, which had fuelled multiple litigations instituted by the Amaechi and Abe’s factions.

While the national body of APC had recognised Cole as the governorship candidate of the party, Abe had vehemently kicked against Cole’s controversial emergence and filed a case in court. The case ultimately went to the Supreme Court which upheld the disqualification of the party from the 2019 governorship election.

Cole had blamed Abe and his allies for the quagmire the party found itself. Cole’s faction had also accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of meddling in the affairs of the APC. Abe, in turn, had blamed those who imposed Cole on the party as the governorship candidate through an illegal process. He had also argued that the party would not have been caught in the confusion if the national body had listened to the cries of aggrieved members of the party in the state.

He reportedly said: “I didn’t create the problems; Cole did. His problem was created by those who brought him. We went to court because clearly from the onset what the other faction was doing was putting them in direct confrontation with the Nigerian judicial system.

Because of the powerful interest of some individuals, the party, at the last minute, decided to ignore that reality and flowed with

the illegality being perpetrated in the state.”

Reacting to the last Tuesday judgment of the Federal High Court, the APC in the state described it as dead on arrival. The state APC spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, said the Supreme Court had in a plethora of cases declared political parties as their own chief executive officers and could regulate their own affairs. He added that the subject matter, which formed the fulcrum of the judgment, was an internal matter. He also described the court’s decision as a travesty of justice.

He said: “The persons who went to court against our party are now members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and therefore they are meddlesome interlopers in our internal affairs.

“We do believe firmly that the appeal court shall treat the matter dispassionately and deliver justice in this matter because this is not an action against the primaries of our party but an attempt at challenging the composition of our delegate list.

“We assure Rivers people that the attempt to rehash the 2019 episode in Rivers is already dead on arrival. Nothing will stop the APC in Rivers from being on the ballot in 2023.”

Indeed, the Supreme Court had ruled that the political parties should take charge of their internal affairs but the same apex court also warned the parties to adhere to their own rules.

The question is: Did APC adhere to its rules in the 2019 primaries? Amaechi’s opponents had insisted that if the former minister had provided responsible leadership in Rivers APC and allowed for a fair and transparent process in electing the party’s candidate, the party would not have been humiliated by the courts in 2019. But the former transportation minister’s alleged determination to impose Cole on the party plunged it into avoidable crisis that caused it such electoral fortunes. The party may be heading to the same direction in 2023.

For now, Cole has appealed the judgment and is hoping that 2023 would be different from 2019.

66

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

GAVEL

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

Kanu

Malami

Federal Lawmakers Join Clamour for Kanu’s Release Udora Orizu writes that following the Court of Appeal ruling discharging the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, of terrorism charges, South-east lawmakers at the National Assembly have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release him as proof of statesmanship

T

he South-east Caucus of the House of Representatives last week, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to show statesmanship and fatherly introspection by ensuring the release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.

The federal lawmakers’ appeal came on the heels of the unanimous decision of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, which discharged the IPOB leader of the terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.

The killing of the people of the old Eastern Region within the Nigerian Federation had led the then military governor of the region, Lt. Colonel Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, to declare the Republic of Biafra in May 1967. The declaration led to a 30-month civil war, which ended in January 1970 with the Eastern Region returning to Nigeria.

However, secessionist agitation has since resurfaced in the South-east, championed by Kanu through his Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari outlawed IPOB and declared that the activities of the group constituted an act of terrorism.

Kanu was earlier arrested and detained but was later released from the Kuje Prison in Abuja after meeting bail conditions. The IPOB leader later fled the country following the invasion of his country home by soldiers. He operated from overseas until he was bundled back to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021 by the federal government, in contravention of local and international laws and conventions.

Since then, he has been battling in court

with the federal government. He eventually got victory a fortnight ago, when the Court of AppealinAbujastruckouttheterrorismcharges filed against him by the federal government.

It followed an earlier ruling of the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in April dismissing eight of the 15 amended counts filed against him by the federal government.

The court struck out all the remaining seven charges against Kanu. It also discharged the embattled leader of IPOB, declaring as illegal and unlawful his abduction from Kenya to Nigeria on July 9, 2021. It quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him.

The appellate court held that the federal government breached all known local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria, thereby making the terrorism charges against him incompetent and unlawful.

The Appeal Court in a judgment by Justice Oludotun Adebola ordered Kanu’s release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where the IPOB leader has been held since he was brought back to Nigeria.

Following the court ruling, there have been calls from South-east leaders, urging the government to immediately obey court order and release Kanu.

But the federal government reactions indicated that it is not yet ready to release Kanu.

First, the federal government through the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, said it was still reviewing the court’s decision before taking a position on it. Second, the National Security Council said it aligned with the position of the AGF. Malami insisted that the IPOB leader was only discharged and not acquitted by the Court.

But reacting to the delay in Kanu’s release, all the South-east lawmakers in the House of Representatives, across party lines, called on PresidentBuharitowinpeace,showstatesmanship by immediately obeying the court order.

In a statement jointly signed by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu); Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC, Abia); House Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia); and all others, the lawmakers urged Buhari to obey the ruling of Court of Appeal, which discharged the IPOB leader of the terrorism charges brought against him.

The lawmakers noted that the country is presently contending with terrorism in the North-east; killing of farmers by herders and banditry in the North-central; abductions and armed attacks in the South-west; restiveness and attacks by unknown gunmen in the Southeast, and abductions, cult wars, vandalism of oil installations and oil theft in the South-south region.

According to them, the combined effect of all these has plunged the nation into untold socio-economic malaise.

The caucus lamented that for the South-east, the enforcement of sit-at-home by faceless gunmen on account of Kanu’s incarceration even long after IPOB revoked and washed its hands off it, has led to wanton loss of human lives, disruption of educational and social activities, and grave economic consequences on the region.

Consequently, the lawmakers noted that the decision of the Court of Appeal is a window of opportunity that should be exploited to solve the Kanu question, find lasting peace and normalcy in the South -east region, and stimulate national unity, healing, and solidarity.

The statement read: “The reality is that

the nation cannot enjoy organic peace so long as any part thereof is troubled. Global experiences and our realities as a nation tell us that heady times like this require not only kinetic options, but also non-kinetic approaches if we must restore and build a peaceful and secure nation where socio-economic and political activities can thrive unhindered. We believe that it is always better to jaw-jaw than to war-war.This underscores the decision of the South-east Caucus of the National Assembly after its extraordinary meeting on September 15, 2021 to advocate political solution to the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu matter.

“In the communiqué signed by the Leader of the South-east Caucus of the National Assembly and former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and other leaders, we underscored the need for constructive interface with relevant stakeholders, the Federal Government and its relevant agencies towards finding a political solution.The decision resonated with other key stakeholders and groups in the South East, including the First Republic minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, who led some Igbo leaders to Aso Rock to solicit the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We recall that on that occasion, President Muhammadu Buhari maintained that his government was committed to non-interference with judicial process, hence he matter should be allowed to run its full judicial course. Times like this call for statesmanship. This is therefore a special appealtoPresidentMuhammaduBuharitotake a fatherly introspection on this issue and toe the path of negotiated solution with guarantees on both sides; and we trust that Mr. President will not allow this veritable opportunity to win peace and write his name in gold pass by.”

Will Buhari heed this appeal? Events of the next few weeks will reveal.

67

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Enemy at the Door This piece was earlier published in the immediateaftermathoftheJulyKujePrisonbreak in Abuja by ISWAP operatives and subsequent sporadic terrorist attacks in and around the Federal Capital. This week’s coordinated terror alerts by embassies of different Western countries in Abuja compel a re-run of the piece.

O

n the matter of ensuring national security by all means necessary,Iaccept beingcalled ahawk.Butontheconcomitant cautious fear that bad things could happen to the nation if our defenses are lax, I will accept the title of coward. In short, a nation is entitled to deploy maximum force to ensure its continued sovereignty while constantly looking outtoprotectitscitizensfromthoseforcesthatdo not wish both government and people well. Taken together,thisisthecontradictionthatnowdefines our security imperative. Nothing better gives our situation more urgency than the clear consistent threat on the security of Abuja. Life, limbs and the very state are now at risk as the national capital is daily assaulted by an undisguised enemy force.

And yet the embarrassing laxity of our defense and security forces in response to this existential threat dictates that we prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

In the last couple of weeks, an enemy we are used to casually dismissing as a bunch of bandits has consistently targeted Abuja. Without fear of any contradiction, the forces of insecurity have coalescedintoanenemywithaconcertedstrategic focus. The target of this adversary is clearly and unambiguouslythesovereignheartoftheNigerian state. I am convinced that some evil force is out to hoist its nasty flag and shout a familiar bad slogan somewhere in the heart of Abuja.

Onlyinthelastfortnight,ISWAPterroristshave stormed and breached the Kuje medium security prison and freed an indeterminate number of inmates. These include over 60 dangerous Boko Haram combatants. An operation that reportedly involved over 200 ISWAP operatives on motorbikes and which lasted a few hours has merely been explained away by an untidy exchange of blames and excuses by those paid to secure that facility. An embarrassed President Buhari visited the broken prison and demanded a report on why our intelligence set up woefully failed to prevent the attack.

Soon afterwards, alarms by some institutions in Abuja about imminent terrorist attacks have produced evidence that the enemy we fear to name is very much at the door. An elite Brigade of Guards patrol in the reported area of the Abuja Law School yielded a bloody ambush that has claimed the lives of a number of soldiers of the presidential guards unit. If the well trained and armed guards of the president cannot survive an attack by the enemy force, what chance is there for the ordinary Abuja resident?

MeanwhileareportedsiegeofaFederalGovernmenthighschoolin…aneighborhoodofAbujahas alarmed school authorities into asking parents to evacuate their children from the school. In a reflex over reaction, authorities of the Federal Capital Authority have ordered a shut down of any number of private and public schools in and around Abuja as a preventive measure. There is no wordastoforhowlongtheseunforeseenclosures will last. I share a level of intelligence available to the officials ordering these closured that is not available to either commonsense or the public?

As if that was not enough, only last Thursday evening,arovingunitofterroristsattackedanarmy checkpoint around Zuma Rock on the busy AbujaKadunahighway.Casualtyfiguresremainhazyand conflicting. Predictably, these sporadic attacks in andaroundAbujahavecreatedanunderstandable atmosphere of fear among the populace.

Understandably, the president has taken some feeble action. He has met with his Security Council. The National Security Adviser has briefed a frightened and unsettled nation about steps being taken to tame terrorists and in particular defend Abuja. In an unusually candid admission, the NSA admitted that Nigerians have become weary of the security situation and the numerous official reassurances. By his admission, the public has incrementally lost confidence in the ability of the state to protect and defend the citizenry thereby making self-help and personal protection an increasingly attractive option.

Suspected terrorists Mr. Monguno revealed that defense and security authorities are working on a new set of strategies to contain and combat the insecurity in the nation! After seven years of Buhari’s anti corruption and maximum security administration? The army has quickly reshuffled its commanders as if the mere moving of personnel and military furniture will translate into a fundamental strategic refocusing or tactical review of the old methods that have woefully failed us in the last seven years under a president with a military background.

Clearly, the political leadership of the nation has been vastly deficient. Mr. Buhari has serially fallen short in the enormous powers which the Nigerian constitution give him as commander-in-chief. Moreso, for a president whowaselectedpartlybecausehehasamilitary background that was hoped would equip him to deal with the insecurity that preceded his ascendancy. However, given the present critical stage of the threat to national security , it wouldbeadisservicetothenationforpoliticians to aggravate what is already and incendiary moment. Therefore, the six -week ultimatum giventhepresidenttofixtheinsecurityorface impeachment is an irresponsible political gambit. It is at best a cheap political blackmail withanintenttofrightenaninsecurepresident with a history of epic incompetence. At worst, the threat by senators of the opposition PDP has an inbuilt extortionist undertone that is familiar in Nigeria’s murky political culture of corruption and unbridled mercantilism. It is bad business to try and extort money out of a desperate national security emergency.

CallmyalertonthethreattoAbujabaseless scare mongering if you like. But I see a clear strategic purpose in the pattern of recent attacks on facilities in and around Abuja. It ought to interest a perceptive public however that thegovernmenthasnevergiventheadversary a name. It is in fact the terrorists themselves whostrikeinstallationsliketheKujeprisonand reveal unapologetically through vivid videos that they are ISWAP. The government has been reluctant to admit either Boko Haram or ISWAP as the enemy against which they are fighting.Thegovernmentjusttagstheattacks the handiwork of terrorists and moves on.

The progressive advance of the enemy forces is by no means haphazard or just opportunistic. What we are witnessing is a clear purposive and directed movement of hostile actionseveninanasymmetricalfashionwhich is typical of jihadist guerilla tactics. But the direction is obvious. It is governed by the territorial ambition of a movement intent on controllingastrategicswatheofterritoryfrom the Sahel to the larger West African Gulf of Guinea oceanfront. Nigeria is central to that calculation on account of its population and resourcebase.Ithasalsobecomemoreattractive in recent times on account of the proven serial failures of the institutions of state and theweaknessofnationaldefenceandsecurity

to stoutly defend the nation’s sovereignty.

Some analysts have pointed at signs of collusion between elements in Nigeria’s security forces and the enabling financiers of Boko Haram and ISWAP. Some have seen signs of infiltration of intelligence sourcesandoutrightcomplicitybetweenguardians ofstatesecurityanddefenceandtheenemyforces leading to ease of some of the operations. No one is certain that these suspicions are either true or totally false.

Whatwecanseeisaclearpurposiveenlargement of the theatre of these attacks in the direction of AbujaasthecentreofpowerinNigeria.Whatstarted outinBornostatehasspreadthroughouttheentire North East. It has strayed into the North West and descended on the North Central zone in the North West zone, it has targeted Kaduna as the military industrial nerve centre of the nation and the last line of defense for Abuja. It has successfully tested the nerves of the Nigerian Defence Academy by killing and abducting some of its officers right on the campus.

TheenemybrieflyknockedouttheKadunaairport by invading its perimeters and abducting some airport workers, thereby briefly closing the airport tomanycommercialairlines.IthasmadetheAbujaKaduna highway untenable as a route for normal civil traffic. The enemy has severally attacked the raillinkbetweenAbujaandKadunaandhasknocked it out of the national civil transportation grid. It has taken out the rail link on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor while its rolling stock is marooned. Meanwhile, the Chinese loan that funded the rail line is gathering interest and charges while the project is returning zero revenue. Government has remained silent on when the rail link will reopen. And yet we remain silent on the identity and purpose of this enemy!

The ISWAP/Boko Haram coalition forces have similarly zeroed in on states adjoining Abuja. In Niger state, for instance, the terrorists have taken over whole local governments and are exacting tributes, rents and levies from local populations. It attacked a miners in Shiroro and. killed over 30 soldiers and policemen that dared to challenge their abduction of Chinese miners. In the same week, an advance contingent of presidential staff on their way to president Buhari’s home town of Daura were attacked and a couple of them injured.

A deliberate targeting of the president as the ultimate symbol of our national sovereignty can only mean one thing: an arrow in the heart of the Nigerian nation.

Those intent on diminishing the urgency and import of the obvious threat to Abuja and Nigeria’s sovereignty need to learn from recent jihadist takeovers and disruptions of nations in recent times. The dramatic fall of Kabul to the forces of the Taliban proceeded in similar fashion, At first the Taliban forces were concentrated far in the provinces, far away from the capital. Through a seriesoflightningraidsandcoordinatedbutsporadic attacks on major strategic routes to Kabul, they stunned boththe government inKabul as well as its supporting US military backers. All that American training, air power, hardware, logistics and communications backing were neutralized overnight.

Taliban operatives who had effectively infiltrated

the intelligence and defense architecture of the state merely streamed into an already softened and besieged Kabul.

America retreated in stampede almost like in Saigon on April 30, 1975. All that sophisticated arsenal was reduced to a huge scrap yard of useless military technology that no one could use. All the generals with their fancy titles, epaulets and shiny medals were reduced to a horde of scampering cowards on the run. Many of them had long been in the payroll of both the Americans and the Taliban simultaneously. That lesson ought to be instructive to those paid to guard the secrets of Nigeria’s security and defence in today’s unfolding engagement.

There may still be some residual professional muscle left in our military to confront our security nightmare. But the political interpretation of the crisis has bred a doctrinal anarchy and confusion of terminologies which is not helping those whose business it is to worry about Nigeria’s insecurity.

Thepoliticalleadershiphasfinallyagreedthatthe powerbaseofthestateisconfrontedbyaterrorist onslaught.Ittookawhiletoofficiallypronouncethe ISWAP/BokoHaramcoalitionaterroristundertaking. But even that is hardly the whole truth by the strict characterization of terrorism. We are not dealing with mere sporadic terrorists. Terrorists strikeatthesoftunderbellyofsociety’scomplacent zonestodisturbthepeace,violentlydistortthenorm and frighten the innocent. Terrorists storm train stations,airports,convertairplanesintoKamikaze missiles, blow up restaurants, mosques, churches, night clubs and other places where society takes normalcy and tranquility for granted. These are the favorite targets of determined terrorists.

As a rule, terrorists do not take territory or seek sovereigntyoveranyplace,peoplesorthings.They bomb,shootorstabandinstillhorrorthroughsudden violent acts. Thereafter, they move on, hoping not to be caught but leaving an unmistakable message through blood and tears. Their aim is to shock us all intoanawarenessofacauseoraculturalinjury.The aim of terrorists is always to provoke the question: Why?. The hope is that the quest for answers will lead to some justice or atonement of an original injustice that has been etched into the mind of terrorist foot soldiers.

Terrorists carry no maps or compasses. To do so would make their operations predictable and their trail obvious. All terrorists are unhinged agents of thedevil,satan’sfootsoldierswithneitherdirection nor compass. In some cases, they decorate their violencewithasectariancreedinordertokeeptheir followership and attract new devotees. Sectarian terrorismisbestrootedoutbypoliticalmeansfrom its creedal source not massaged by silly palliatives and symbolic amnesties.

Let us make no mistake about it. In Nigeria, we are not confronted by transactional bandits merely out to collect loose cash to assuage their socioeconomicdeprivationandfleethetradeafter makingenoughmoney.Ofcoursetherearecriminal banditelementsinourmixofsundrytroublemakers.

But those ones merely frighten innocent people, take hostages, rape women, demand ransom and sometimes storm schools, transit buses, trains and isolated motorists. Banditry is bad violent entrepreneurship gone out of control. But the majority of those we call bandits are recruits of the ISWAP/Boko Haram enterprise. The ransoms collectedbybanditsgotoswellthewarchestofthe larger jihadist enterprise. Criminal banditry is easy to root out. Take out the gangster chieftains and you are likely to exterminate the ring. But systemic jihadist banditry has an almost limitless pool of recruits and is therefore self -renewing.

Nigeria’smorestrategicinsecurityisthereforea local off -shoot and subset of the larger ISIS global jihadist terrorist network. In its Sahelian iteration, ISIShasmetamorphosedintoISWAP/BokoHaram whichhasswallowedupBokoHaramandotherisolatedlocalchapters.Thatiswhyitbecamenecessary and urgent for ISWAP to exterminate Abubakar Shekau and the leadership of Boko Haram. It has territorial ambition. It has political and strategic purpose. It has a sectarian dressing to appeal to innocent hearts and minds. It has a geo- strategic design.Itsoperationshaveastrategiccompassand politicalmap.WhatisunfoldinginNigeriaespecially thevirtualsiegeonAbujaarethemanifestationsof thesemoreconcertedpurposesandlargerdesigns hencetheconcertedinternationalconcern.Weneed to key into the international onslaught to save our nation instead of this laughable grand standing by marionette minions of state power.

68

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R OCTOBER 30, 2022G

NEWS Unlawful Retirement: Mobil Appeals Order to Deposit $4.2m as Security Alex Enumah in Abuja Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited has appealed the ruling of the National Industrial Court ordering it to deposit the sum of $4.2 million as security in an alleged unlawful retirement suit.

A former employee of ExxonMobil, Mr. James Nwagbogwu Ebede, had dragged the oil giant before the National Industrial Court in Lagos in January 2018, challenging what he claimed to be wrongful termination of his appointment.

While faulting the claim of Ebede, Mobil on November 19, 2020 obtained a stay of proceedings at the industrial

court pending the hearing of its appeal at the Court of Appeal, Lagos.

However, the lower court on January 27, 2022 set aside the stay and order for hearing of the case of the claimant.

While the claimant on March 14 amended his statement of facts he on May 9, filed a motion praying the industrial court for an order directing the defendants to “furnish sufficient security in the sun of $4.2 million to satisfy any decree judgment that may be made against the defendants”.

The claimant had predicated his action on the allegations that the defendants are divesting their assets in Nigeria.

Delivering ruling in the

application on August 15, 2022, Justice R. H. Gwandu, ordered Mobil to furnish an account of its choice that contains the said amount to serve as security in the event that judgment was entered against it.

Dissatisfied, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and ExxonMobil Corporation, which are the sole defendants in the first suit have approached the

appellate court to set aside the order of the lower court for being “Unknown to our law and legal system”.

The appellant in the appeal marked CA/ LAG/PRE/ROA/ CV/975M1/2022, is claiming the lower court erred in law, “when it granted the application despite lack of any credible evidence in

support of his (claimant) that the appellant was divesting its asset”.

In the appeal predicated on four grounds, the appellant further submitted that the lower court misdirected itself when it granted the application despite stating that it did not see how the claimant arrived at the sum of $4.2 million.

Justice Gwandu had held “that from the cursory look at the amended claims is way more than what he claimed against the defendants. I did not see why I should grant the application in like sum, the order of the court is that the 2nd defendant should only furnish any of its account with sufficient funds to cover the sum as claimed”.

Banditry Won’t Happen If FG Sustained Nomadic Education, Says Ex-Buhari’s Aide Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly, Hon. Kawu Sumaila yesterday said if successive governments had sustained the nomadic education introduced by the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, there would have no kidnappings and banditry in the north.

Sumaila stated this at a 2023 Dialogue Series organised by Kano Correspondents’ Chapel to engage candidates in media parley on their agenda in 2023 elections He observed that Nigeria “is facing serious security challenges,

especially in the North, courtesy of abandoning programmes and policies of past administrations.

“Had it been the successive governments continuing with the Nomadic Education started by the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida regime where Fulanis are taught on educational values, there would not be this issue of kidnappings and other criminal atrocities from them.

“I strongly support the formation of the State Police as another main ways that would tackle the problems, which means States would now have People’s of thrust that would manned their places to salvage the menace,” he said

Sowore Promises to Tackle Insecurity if Elected President Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore has pledged to fight hunger, insecurity and starvation if elected the president of the country in 2023.

Sowore, Publisher of Sahara Reporters, observed that he did not want to form a rally where most followers did not know the party they are campaigning for.

He made the pledge in Kano yesterday while unveiling his manifesto, soliciting support for the party and presidential agenda and pledging to end insecurity across

the federation.

According to him, we want people to choose us by merit not what we have to offer.

In his speech, Sowore added that he came to Kano as part of his campaign and as part of his plan to fight corruption.

“Our number one of our ideas is to secure Nigeria to end security either to fight or bring machinery, second to take care of security agencies and share prosperity.

“Second agenda is to ensure availability of electricityaselitesbenefit from the darkness as the government is built on darkness so that many will benefit.“

Kukah Urges Christians to Make Wise Decisions Onuminya Innocent In Sokoto The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah has urged Christians to make wise decisions in electing a new crop of political leaders in 2023.

Kukah made the comment in Yola at the 2022 Church Leaders Summit. He also asked the Christian community not to worry about the choices made by political parties in fielding their presidential candidates as power rests with the electorates.

“We have to all make the right calculations and not be swayed by emotions,” he said.

“Because after all we’ve been

through in Nigeria, we must avoid a mentality of ‘us versus them’.

“Nobody is going to force you as a Christian to vote one way or the other.

“And as I said, I’m moving away from this binary view of Christians and Muslims. That’s not who we are as Nigerians.

That’s not what happens in the marketplace or across the country.

There are no Christian roads, no Christian thieves or Muslim saints.

“For me, I don’t see how any Christian – I’m sorry to say – should be worried about the choice that a political party has made. Whatever decision any politician makes, they will live with the consequences.”

JUSTICE DELIVERY… L-R: Managing Consultant, Diadems, Ms Modupe Bankole; Solicitor- General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, and Director, Human Resources, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Foluke Oni, at the closing ceremony of the ministry’s retreat on Performance Management Systems in Abuja recently.

Nigeria Can Take Advantage of Flood to Boost Food Security, Says Commission Emameh Gabriel in Abuja The Managing Director, HydroElectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Mr. Sadiq Yelwa, has said though flooding in the country has had devastating effects on the people, it could as well be used to boost food security both for local consumption and exports.

Sadiq has also declared the commission’s readiness to partner relevant stakeholders, including the National Assembly not only

to mitigate the devastating effects of floods in the country but also to deploy it for all year farming.

The HYPPADEC boss stated this in Abuja yesterday at the end of a four-day training organised for staff of the commission for capacity development.

He explained: “We are studying to see how we we can put the misadventure into an adventure of fortune by using the flooding as a means of providing water for irrigation, which has supported the com-

munities because most times when you have a flooding, the land becomes more fertile and they will be able to produce more than they I used to.

“So we are going to give the farmers the necessary support they require to produce more agricultural product all year round, whereas they do only two times at one time. So, we can even encourage them to do more than that.

“We need another source of foreign reserves for the country.

Our rice, our beans, our cotton all three of these can be produced and exported and give our people better source of living, said Sadiq who explained that state governors have been trying but more needed to be done to encourage them.

He said: “It is high time people stop playing politics with lives, it is high time people stopped playing politics with the lives of the communities, it is high time we look at what should be done of course, the reverse have been the case”.

Kwankwaso’s Presidency Won’t Abuse Court Judgment, Campaign Council Clarifies The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) yesterday disclosed that its presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, had no history of violating court judgment.

The spokesman of the NNPP Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Ladipo Johnson made the clarification in an interview with a national daily.

In recent times, successive governments in the country have been accused of violating the rule of law and arbitrarily

abusing court judgements.

However NNPP’s campaign spokesman believed his principal is different.

While stating that Democracy is a difficult form of governance, Johnson said only tested public officeholders like Kwankwaso can be trusted to handle power with recourse to rule of law.

He said: “You can always refer to Kwankwaso’s virtue as a democrat. He believed in Democracy and one of its tenets

is the rule of law. And if we do not get small things right, the big things will not work.

“By God’s grace, he will be the one who will follow the rule of law. He understands Democracy in the sense that it is not easy. It is a difficult form of government. It cannot always be ‘Your Will be done.’

“Unfortunately, most people who have been in government at the presiden-

tial level are not people who believe that the rule of law should hold sway. They are people who believe that the position of president is a very powerful one and they are only too willing to use it.

“When it comes to making decisions, they may not remember one of the principles of Democracy. So I am positive that Rabiu Kwankwaso will follow and obey the rule of law if elected as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Kwara Enrols Fresh 21,750 Indigents in Free Health Insurance The Kwara Government has enrolled additional 21,750 indigents into a free health insurance package for the next year.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq disclosed this at the official launch of Phase II of health insurance enrollment in Ilorin.

AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mamman Jibril, said that with the 21,750 indigents newly enrolled on the state-free health insurance scheme,

the administration was making another landmark achievement in the health sector.

He added that 29,000 Kwarans sponsored through the FG-funded Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which the state invested in, the new enrollees bring the total beneficiaries of free healthcare in the state to 51,750 for 2022-2023.

He said the administration has invested heavily in the procurement of new medical equipment and employment

of health personnel to boost the state’s capacity to deliver quality healthcare services to average residents.

He said the programme was organised by the Kwara Health Insurance Agency (KWHIA) under Dr Olubunmi JettawoWinter.

He said the scheme cover antenatal care, deliveries, surgeries, diabetes and asthma, among other chronic and non-chronic illnesses for the beneficiaries.

“This explains why our state

is emerging as a bright spot in national health indices,” he said.

“This did not just happen. It is all a culmination of our serious efforts in the sector.

“Our investments in new medical gadgets, facilities and personnel have boosted our capacity to offer improved healthcare delivery,” he said.

The governor said for the first time in the state, the administration has made available N100 million in equity funds to enrol the indigents.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 30, 2022

69

B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N CAN ‘JAPA’ LAND NIGERIA IN JAPAN? easier to relocate to Canada than the US, although the Americans are also coming up with immigration-friendly programmes (programs, lol). The UK has also opened a new big gate, particularly for students, doctors and nurses.

In sum, there is nothing new about “japa”. There is no official data to capture the number of Nigerians living abroad as well as the historical trend from the 1980s, but it is safe to say that there will be more as people keep searching for better opportunities. In a country of 200 million people with lean economic opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, high unemployment and serious security challenges, it is only logical for the citizens to seek better life elsewhere — even in Togo, which is not as big as Lagos, or Equatorial Guinea, where they speak Spanish.

In the end, survival is a basic human instinct and the Nigerian dire situation is enough for people to seek solace abroad.

Citizens of countries with large populations often seek opportunities abroad. Nigerians are not alone.

According to a UN report, the ten countries with the highest number of emigrants in 2021 were India (17.9 million), Mexico (11.1 million), Russia (10.8 million), China (10.5 million), Syria (8.5 million), Bangladesh (7.4 million), Pakistan (6.3 million), Ukraine (6.1 million), Philippines (6.1 million) and Afghanistan (5.9 million). Nigeria is ranked No 45 with 1.7 million. Given the number of Nigerians who have migrated legally and illegally in the last few years, we will move up the chart very soon. We should also bear in mind that many more are waiting to leave at the next opportunity.

By the way, I am not against emigration. I have several reasons to back my position, as I have said at different forums recently. One, leaving your job allows others to move up.

It is also going to take many people off the job market. More talents will be uncovered and discovered. The downside is that in our case, it is the skilled ones that are leaving in droves and most have no plans to return. Losing those whose skills and knowledge are difficult to replace, especially medical doctors. Government at all levels must do everything possible to reverse this trend in the medical position through the provision of incentives, including the necessary equipment, facilities and remuneration.

Two, when Nigerians study or work in advanced societies, they are in a good stead to learn new things about the world, about work ethic, about critical thinking, about global best practices.

Our medical personnel cannot attend to patients in Europe with the same contempt they mete out to Nigerians back home. They cannot get away with negligence as they easily do here.

Also, lecturers cannot dictate to their employers what payment software to use. They cannot go on total strike for eight months over a matter that will take years to address. They will also get to understand what “autonomy” means and how universities are funded in the US, the UK, Canada and similar countries.

Three, when Nigerians study or live abroad, they will unlearn many things.

It is very easy to evade or underpay tax in Nigeria but if you try that in the US, you will face the music. They will also understand the dignity of labour: a Nigerian student would be more willing to serve as a waiter at a restaurant in the UK or as a security guard in the US to pay his bills. Back home in Nigeria, he would probably look up to his uncle for bailout. There is no uncle or aunty in Canada. It is everyman for himself and God for us all. You are forced to understand prudential use of resources, to practise

orderliness and respect for the rules, regulations and laws. For me, this is worth the adventure.

Four, and quite importantly, I am of the strong conviction that the diaspora can play a major role in the transformation of Nigeria. With the right leadership in place, some of our best brains in the diaspora who still love this country can return home to be part of the process of rebuilding our land. They can transfer or deploy the knowledge and experience they have acquired to help the rebuilding project.

We saw glimpses of this possibility when President Olusegun Obasanjo was in office. He tapped talents from the diaspora. I have also noticed that many hospitals, schools and businesses established or run by those who came from the diaspora are always a notch more professional.

As we know, modern economies are powered by the knowledge industry.

In the 20th century, Japan sent the world alight when it developed without natural resources. It was the quality of human resources that took the country to the top of the ladder.

They are now global leaders in the automotive, robotics and electronics industries, but they started by copying America. The knowledge transfer did wonders. This fuels my optimism that Nigerians who are accumulating skills and knowledge abroad can return someday to team up the home-based talents and help re-engineer our development. Through brain drain gain, “japa” may galvanise Nigeria into becoming a type of Japan.

Finally, let us not forget the little matter of remittances. Thousands of Nigerian families rely on Western Union. Remittances have been mitigating the impact of poverty on our society and have helped improve the standard of living for a good number of people. Many building

projects are financed by people in the diaspora, creating jobs for masons, plumbers, electricians, labourers and other artisans. Remittances in 2021 were estimated by experts at between $17 billion and $20 billion.

This figure, apparently, covers only funds that passed through the official channels. Some are sent in form of goods or through human couriers.

Some remittances are invested as well.

Nigerians are still far behind many nationals when it comes to remittances. According to Migration and Development Brief (May 2022), the top five recipient countries for remittances in 2021 were India ($89 billion), Mexico ($54 billion), China ($53 billion), the Philippines ($37 billion), and Egypt ($32 billion). Since 2008, India has been topping the list. At the rate Nigerians are currently leaving the country, and assuming most get good jobs and are generous enough to remember their friends and families back home, our own remittances will be up there in the next 10 years. We may find it embarrassing that Nigerians want to “japa”, but I think the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Lest I forget, I am not suggesting that Nigerians should continue to “japa”.

It is not all that glitters that is gold.

Many of those who “japa” now want to “japada” (return) having seen that the streets of Western countries are not paved with gold. Some are not finding life easy. Truly, the ideal situation is for our country to be at peace and make progress so that people can stay back.

I have met many Nigerians abroad who would rather be home if we could get our act together. All that some are asking for is regular power supply and security. My summary, therefore, is that while we need to slow down the exodus with good governance, migration, nevertheless, has plenty great benefits.

And Four Other Things…

US ALARM The United States has unusually sent a well-publicised security alert to its embassy staff and citizens in Abuja over possible terror attacks. This was followed up with an order to leave Abuja. Many other Western countries soon followed suit. I am still trying to understand what happened because the series of events appeared to be fast. Could it be that they shared intelligence with Nigeria in the past and nothing was done, meaning they no longer trust our government to act reassuringly? Could it be that there is some political undertone that may be linked to global alliances in the wake of the RussiaUkraine war? Whatever it is, the government has to take our security more seriously. Must.

NAIRA BY DESIGN The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given Nigerians a surprise early Christmas hamper by announcing a redesign of the national currency and withdrawal of the old notes.

This, according to the bank, is to check counterfeiting and the activities of kidnappers who have stockpiled ransoms in naira. It should also push more Nigerians into internet banking and use of e-naira to reduce cash transactions.

Politicians who have warehoused enormous cash for the 2023 elections may also be affected. We will have to wait to see how the policy will impact the economy as a whole.

But I worry about the timing. December is high-transaction period and businesses may be disrupted. Watching.

SUNAK’S CV The unstable UK political climate has produced the third prime minister in 2022, making the whole thing look like a farce.

Rishi Sunak, the new PM, has become the first Hindu and non-white to lead the country.

The aspect that should interest Nigerian youths, in my opinion, is his age: he is just 42.

But beyond looking at his age, they should also examine his CV. He did not become the prime minister overnight. A graduate of Oxford and Stanford University, Sunak was elected into parliament at age 34 in 2015.

He was chancellor of the exchequer (finance minister) from 2020 to 2022, after serving as chief secretary to the treasury from 2019 to 2020. Is the message clear? Preparation.

ON THE ABUJA TERROR ALERTS combative way. Nigeria has long-standing relationships with these countries and fighting terrorism everywhere is in the collective interest of all, including the countries that can easily airlift their citizens in emergencies. It is still not late for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to invite the ambassadors and high commissioners of these countries for confidential briefings.

We will always need partners in the war on terror. We should do everything we can to keep our allies onside and we should engage with them closely and continuously so that their actions do not inadvertently complicate things for us. However, one lesson we should take from this is that at the end of the day, we are on our own. At the slightest hint of danger, most countries will ask their citizens to leave or will even fly them out. Some Nigerians may be able to leave too, but most of us will be stuck here. On national security, we therefore need to begin to pull together

as a people stuck in the same boat. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hold our government to account. We should, at all times, especially on government’s core responsibility: the protection of life and property. But national security is too important to play politics with.

Government and its agents must take the lead not just in making our society more secure, but also in rallying all of society behind its efforts. In response to the security alerts and the immobilising fear that came in their wake, the security agencies, some government officials and President Muhammadu Buhari have offered reassurances and called for calm. But at a time when the federal capital is gripped by fear, we need the government to be more proactive and be more present. The President as the Commander-in-Chief needs to lead from the front at such a moment like this. He should have cut short his trip abroad, and he needs to speak directly to Nigerians, not through aides.

Buhari

QUANTUM INIFINITUM The good people of Cross River must be mollified by the fact that Prof Ben Ayade, the governor, has presented his last budget. For eight years, he bombastically mesmerised his citizens with esoteric nomenclatures when perspicuity was needed. Apart from the “Budget of Deep Vision” of 2016, his first, the rest could only be decrypted by seasoned lexicographers — 2017: “InfiniteTransposition”; 2018: “Kinetic Crystallization”; 2019: “Qabalistic Densification”; 2020: “Olympotic Merristamasis”; 2021: “Blush and Bliss”; 2022: “Conjugated Agglutination”; and, finally, 2023: “Quantum infinitum”. The tintinnabulation aside, did the budgets transmogrify Cross River into a paradise? Highfalutin.

70

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30 , 2022

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Osimhen Fires First Serie A Hat Trick, Moves Napoli Six Points Clear

S

U17 WORLD CUP

Flamingos Go Big for Bronze against Germany Victor Osimhen...scores first hat trick in Italian Serie A

Man City Leapfrog Arsenal to Summit of Premier League

M

anchester City moved to the top of the Premier League after Kevin de Bruyne’s worldclass free-kick broke down Leicester City’s stubborn resistance at the King Power Stadium.

Foxes’ manager Brendan Rodgers had clearly set up his team to do a containing job on the reigning champions and it had worked effectively until De Bruyne curled a magnificent strike into the top corner from 25 yards four minutes after half-time.

De Bruyne’s goal was reward for City’s dominance, even though they missed the killer touch of the absent Erling Haaland, who has been suffering from a fever and a foot injury.

Elsewhere, Crysencio Summerville scored a dramatic late winner as Leeds stunned Liverpool 2-1 to damage the Reds’ top-four hopes and move out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The hosts had lost to bottom-of-thetable Nottingham Forest in their last league outing but were hoping to build on their dominant 3-0 win at Ajax in the Champions League in midweek.

However, they made the worst possible start against a Leeds side who started the day in the bottom three when a poor back pass by Joe Gomez was pounced on by Rodrigo, who poked into an empty net.

Liverpool responded well and equal-

Olympic Eagles Beat Tanzania 2-0 to Reach Final Round, Pocket $50,000 Nigeria reached the final round of the 2023 Africa U23 Cup of Nations on Saturday after Timilehin Ogunniyi and Success Makanjuola scored in the second leg at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan to condemn visitorsTanzania to a two-goal defeat and 1-3 loss on aggregate.

Some hours before the game, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Chairman of the NFF Task Force onYouth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi had buoyed the spirit of the team with redemptionsofcashpromisesandfurtherpronises of windfall should they put the JuniorTaifa Stars to the sword. It was therefore no surprise when the Olympic Eagles started like a house on fire.

Success Makanjuola, Akanni Qudus, Timilehin Ogunniyi, Sunusi Ibrahim and the attack-minded defender Dominion Ohaka hassled and harassed thevisitors’rearguardtonoend,butwithoutfinding the early breakthrough they so much desired.

However, Tanzania played a compact and economic game, and could have gone ahead as early as the 12th minute when Mundhir Abadalla unleashed from the edge of the box as Daniel Wotlaimis-judgedballinflight.Nigeria’sfirstchoice Nathaniel Nwosu was up to the task.

Three minutes later, Ohaka’s shot was too high from 20 yards, and Ogunniyi’s efforts screamed wayoffmarkinthe18thminuteasNigeriaapplied pressure.

Nwosu again came up big in the 28th minute to thwart Muhajiri Jaribi who let fly from just outside the left side of the box. But Nigeria was not daunted and continued to impress in the presence of Governor Makinde and top officials of the Oyo State Government, Sports Minister Sunday Dare and NFF Board Members.

Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report

uper Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, scored his first ever Italian Serie A hat-trick as Napoli thrashed Sassuolo to move six points clear at the top of the league.

The Nigerian international Osimhen, 23, struck twice in the first 19 minutes before dinking in his third following Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s goal.

The duo have recorded 16 goals and 11 assists between them this season in all competitions.

The victory extends Napoli’s club-record winning run to 13 games.

Osimhen was out for over a month with a thigh injury but has scored six goals in his last four matches across all competitions since his return.

Kvaratskhelia, whose own prolific form continues, provided the assist for Osimhen’s first two goals - a stabbed effort from close range after a sublime touch and a poke into the bottom corner from Kvaratskhelia’s cutback - before the Georgia forward netted one of his own, his eighth of the season.

Osimhen rounded off the rout with a chip over the keeper, Napoli’s 50th goal across Serie A and the Champions League this season as they continue their hunt for a first league title in 32 years.

Before the game Napoli paid tribute to club legend Diego Maradona, who would have turned 62 years old today.

The Argentine great, who also played for Barcelona, Sevilla and Boca Juniors, made 257 appearances for the Italian side, winning two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup in 1989.

Napoli’s current 13-match winning run further surpasses the previous record of 11 straight wins set by Maradona’s side in 1986, the season in which he captained Napoli to their first ever league title.

2023 AFRICA U23 QUALIFIERS

PREMIER LEAGUE ised soon after when Mohamed Salah volleyed in from Andy Robertson’s cross.

But Leeds, belying their lowly position in the table, showed great hunger in response to that equaliser and hit the woodwork

through Brenden Aaronson.

And, in the final minute of normal time, Summerville picked up the ball from Patrick Bamford before firing across Alisson to send the away support wild.

The defeat - Liverpool’s second in a row in the Premier League - means they are ninth and eight points off the top four, while Leeds move up to 15th.

Nigeria will seek to end their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on a high when they battle Germany for the bronze medals in India today.

Both teams lost their semi final games on Wednesday, Nigeria to Colombia on penalties and Germany to Spain via a last-minute goal by the Cup winners.

Africa’s best team came within a kick of reaching the final during the penalty shootout against Colombia, but defender Omamuzo Edafe’s effort agonisingly came off the upright.Then Comfort Folorunsho’s kick bounded against the body of the Colombian goalkeeper in sudden death and the South Americans prevailed.

NigeriaandGermanysquaredoffinthetwoteams’ first match of the competition, back on 11th October,atthesamevenue,withtheGermanshavingto battle back from behind following Miracle Usani’s opener for the Flamingos through a a free-kick.

The Nigerian team has remained unbeaten in regulation time since then, defeating New Zealand 4-0 and Chile 2-1, and then prevailing over United States of America on penalty shootout in the quarter-finals after a 1-1 stalemate.

RESULTS PREMIER LEAGUE Leicester

0-1

Man City

Bo’mouth

2-3

Tottenham

Brentford

1-1

Wolves

Brighton

4-1

Chelsea

Cry’ Palace

1-0

Southampton

Newcastle

4-0

Aston Villa

Fulham

0-0

Everton

Liverpool

1-2

Leeds

LA LIGA Cadiz

3-2

Atletico

Sevilla

0-1

Vallecano

Valencia

0-1

Barcelona

SERIE A Kevin de Bruyne...fires Manchester City to top of the Premier League yesterday

Napoli

4-0

Sassuolo

Lecce

0-1

Jeventus

Inter

3-0

Sampdoria

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

71

Sunday October 30, 2022

‘COVID’

& RE A S O

N

Price: N400

Ayu to Critics

COVID-19 Tests & Vaccinations TO

UT H

MISSILE

Book Your TEXT

TR

“I have the powers to say you and you will not go anywhere, because I will insist that I must sign before you go anywhere. But I have signed for all candidates produced by the PDP to go ahead in their dreams. Whether I like it or not I signed” – National Chairman of PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, warning Governor Ortom and other critics of his leadership that he has the powers to stop them from realising their political ambitions.

58123

This service is provided in association with accredited service providers

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Can ‘Japa’ Land Nigeria in Japan?

I

f you spend too much time on social media, you would swear that emigration, also known as “japa”, is new and peculiar to Nigeria. No, it isn’t. “Japa”, a Yoruba slang that roughly means “to cut loose”. For four decades, Nigerians have been “cutting loose” for economic reasons. The current wave is reminiscent of the exodus of medical personnel to Saudi Arabia in the mid-1980s. That, I should think, was the first mass movement of Nigerians abroad that gained media attention.

The naira had fallen from N1/$ to N4/$, making forex earnings juicy and attractive — and, good enough, Saudi badly needed doctors and nurses.

As I recall, we used “brain drain” to describe the phenomenon.

Before the economic crisis, “japa” was not a big thing. Nigerians could travel to several countries without needing a visa and most always returned home.

Nigerian footballers were comfortable with plying their trade at home. Greats like Segun Odegbami, Christian Chukwu and Adokiye Amiesimaka did not have

Buhari

any compelling economic reasons to play abroad. The fall in the value of the naira in the mid-1980s also changed the fortune of our football for good. Belgium became the magnet

for Nigerian players — thanks largely to the legendary Stephen Keshi who pioneered a wave of emigration that rewrote the history and redrew the geography of our football. A new era was born.

With foreign-based Nigerian doctors, nurses, lecturers and footballers sending life-changing remittances and setting up businesses back home, the “japa” phenomenon began to explode. But along with regular immigration came the irregular one: people started overstaying their visas — after going for studies or attending international events — and most were content with taking up odd jobs. Nigerians became notorious for criminal activities. Through drug trafficking and credit card fraud, some would buy cars and computers and ship them home to launder the proceeds of crime. Our ladies started flooding Italy for sex work. The “success stories” pulled more Nigerians in.

On a positive side, regular immigration became easier. The US Visa Lottery was very popular among Nigerians in the 1990s and 2000s before we were no

longer eligible. Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland, was a popular destination before the rules were tightened — apparently to curb abuse. Because it was an English-speaking EU country with the UK just next door, Ireland offered a comfortable new home for Nigerians.

Any child born there automatically became a citizen, along with other benefits. Having seen enough of us, the Irish authorities changed the rules in the mid-2000s and made it difficult for both the child and the parents to become citizens or claim benefits.

Western countries started introducing schemes for professionals and investors, basically to attract quality migrants to fill their own manpower needs. Nigerians took advantage. The UK had the highly skilled migrant worker scheme. Canada has been a good spot for long, the only complaint being about the weather.

Nigerians have been braving the cold all the same. With the new study and work opportunities, Canada has become a No 1 pick for young Nigerians. It is Continued on page 69

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

On the Abuja Terror Alerts

L

ast Sunday, the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria issued an alert about an elevated risk of terrorist attacks in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. It advised Americans to avoid nonessential travels to Abuja, and for those already in the city to avoid certain places.

On Thursday, the US Department of State took it a notch higher: it ordered non-essential US government employees and family members of US government staff to depart Abuja because of the risk of terrorist attacks. The missions of the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia and others followed suit with their own security alerts.

These alerts were primarily targeted at the nationals of these countries, and are another proof of the premium they place on the lives of their citizens. But the alerts were widely circulated on the missions’ websites and on their social

media handles, and are thus widely broadcast to Nigerians, especially Abuja’s residents. With the explosion of security alerts within days, the consensus in the city and beyond is that these countries must be in possession of very credible intelligence for them to take such a public and coordinated stand. The fact that some of these countries have some of the best intelligence services in the world reinforced this position.

So, despite the appeals for calm and the multiple assurances by the Nigerian authorities, the air in the city remains heavy with foreboding. Some schools and malls and companies are shutting their gates; and the markets and streets receive less traffic. This is to be expected, as it is natural for most people to err on the side of caution. But it is also important not to lose sight of what may not be the intended effect of the coordinated alerts: they have also triggered a deep sense of panic and siege in the capital city.

It is difficult to remain calm when the possibility of a terrorist attack has been invoked. This has implication not just for the socio-economic life of the city and the country but also for security itself.

Clearly, the Americans and others have a primary responsibility to their citizens. And after the 2012 deadly attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, leading to the death of the US ambassador and three others, the Americans have all the reasons not to take anything for granted. But the foreign missions are also not without obligations to the citizens and the government of their host country, and that includes taking ownership of the intended and unintended consequences of their extra-ordinary communications.

It is possible to argue that they have discharged that obligation through the urgency publicly telegraphed by their syndicated warnings, which would have put, and definitely put, Nigerians and

the Nigerian government on notice.

But it wouldn’t be out of place to use the existing intelligence-sharing channels to communicate with the Nigerian security and political authorities before going on the public blitz. If official feelers are anything to go by, nothing of such happened. There have been speculations about why things may have taken this turn. One is that the Americans and others don’t trust our security forces to act on time on shared intelligence. The other is that they have concerns about the confidentiality of the intelligence shared. Another is that the Americans and others are up to some games. All these are speculations, and they may all be totally off the mark.

However, it is not too late for Nigerian political authorities to follow up properly, and not in the usual defensive and Continued on page 69

Printed Newspapers Limited.

Lagos:35 35Creek CreekRoad, Road,Apapa, Apapa,Lagos.

Lagos.Abuja: Abuja:Plot Plot1,1,Sector SectorCentre CentreB, B,Jabi JabiBusiness BusinessDistrict, District,Solomon SolomonLar LarWay, Way,Jabi JabiNorth NorthEast, East,Abuja Abuja. .

Printedand andPublished PublishedininLagos Lagosby byTHISDAY Leaders & Company Limited . Lagos: AllCorrespondence Correspondenceto toPOBox POBox54749, 54749,Ikoyi, Ikoyi,Lagos.

Lagos.EMAIL: EMAIL:editor@thisdaylive.com, editor@thisdaylive.com,info@thisdaylive.com. info@thisdaylive.com.TELEPHONE TELEPHONELagos: Lagos:0802 08022924721-2, 2924721-2,08022924485.

08022924485.Abuja: Abuja:Tel: Tel:08076290487, 08155555292, 08155555929 All 08076290488 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com